A book stuffed with irreverent comedy, funny in a way that few since the 1970s and 80s have dared to be. A writer who is prepared to stick two-fingers at the stifling blanket of multicultural non-offensiveness that has been allowed to slowly suffocate comedy, and so cultural diversity. The 1970s were the highwater mark of freedom to mock, which is an exacting measure of freedom of speech. Yes, the weak need to be guarded, but they don’t need to be protected by a righteous piety which filters out everything that could give any possible offense to any Tom, Dick or Titty.

   So it is great to read a writer that is prepared to be rude, even if he completely overdoses on the comedy in what leaves, and in certain atypical social groups enters, the arse. And yet, even in this book there are groups that the author chooses not to offend. There is still an element of protectionism towards certain left of centre ‘BBC type standards’ of middle-class self-righteous piety. Perhaps that is genuinely the ground Saunders rests on, like some latter day Ben Elton, or just perhaps this author still compromises comedy to protect certain of his sacred cows.

   But all in all, and especially considering the now comparative weakness, the containment, of British humour, this book absolutely deserves five stars. Writing like this helps give me confidence that the tide can be turned against the political correctness and the sanitisation of public thought. The ‘private eye’ of diverse all has been shown a crack in the door- a hope for escape from bland multicultural sterilization. In this writing, our everybody-cultured society had been found a little air. Not all fresh air exactly, as, as I said, Mervyn vs. Dennis is far too heavily focused on bottom humour, but certainly a wind of unfettered, socially penetrating, liberating humour.

   Saunders’ writing is good, his comic timing is excellent. Now all he needs to do is put a cork in his craphole jokes and instead write to take the piss out of his own values as well as those of those that are even now almost beyond the fringe of cultural piety.

   Not suitable reading for those that think they have a social right not to be offended.          More pineapples and exotic fruitcakes, please, Mr. Saunders.

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