Seventy-Two Virgins

A political comedy-thriller set in London, Seventy-Two Virgins follows a crisis during the U.S. President's visit to Parliament. At the center of the story is Roger Barlow, a disheveled MP caught between a terrorist plot and his own personal scandal involving a lingerie shop. The narrative tracks multiple characters through a single day as a Lebanese-born terrorist plans an assassination attempt. Meanwhile, Barlow sees an opportunity to salvage his reputation by preventing the attack, leading to a series of interconnected events around Westminster. The book draws from P.G. Wodehouse's style of comedy, incorporating elements of farce and political satire. The plot moves at a rapid pace through London's corridors of power, blending humor with elements of the terrorist thriller genre. The novel examines themes of political identity, personal ambition, and the intersection of Western and Islamic cultures in modern Britain. Through its comedic lens, it presents questions about heroism, incompetence, and the nature of public service.

Readers describe the book as a farce that attempts political satire but falls short. Multiple reviews note Johnson's verbose writing style and frequent use of obscure words that interrupt the flow. Positive reviews praise the humor and Johnson's insider knowledge of Parliament. Some readers found the political intrigue entertaining and appreciated the complex plot structure. Several reviewers noted authentic details about cycling in London and parliamentary procedures. Common criticisms include: - Underdeveloped characters - Casual racism and stereotyping - Meandering plot with too many subplots - Dense, challenging prose style - Forced jokes and attempts at wit Ratings: Goodreads: 3.3/5 (416 ratings) Amazon UK: 3.9/5 (264 ratings) Amazon US: 3.7/5 (89 ratings) One reviewer on Goodreads wrote: "Like being stuck in a lift with someone who thinks they're Oscar Wilde." An Amazon reviewer noted: "The writing is exhausting - every sentence tries too hard to be clever."

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🔸 The book's title "Seventy-Two Virgins" refers to the supposed reward awaiting martyrs in paradise, a concept Boris Johnson explored while studying Islamic theology at Oxford. 🔸 Published in 2004, the novel predated Johnson's tenure as Mayor of London (2008-2016) and his role as Prime Minister (2019-2022), making it an early glimpse into his views on politics and terrorism. 🔸 The Palace of Westminster, where much of the novel takes place, has survived multiple real-life assassination attempts, including the infamous Gunpowder Plot of 1605 and a 1974 IRA bombing. 🔸 Johnson wrote this novel while serving as both a Member of Parliament and editor of The Spectator magazine, drawing from his firsthand experience in British politics. 🔸 The book's protagonist, Roger Barlow, shares several biographical details with Johnson himself, including being a bicycle-riding Conservative MP with messy blonde hair and a complicated personal life.