Description
Book SynopsisIn 1938, two rival expeditions set off for a lost Mayan temple in the jungles of Honduras, one intending to shoot a screwball comedy on location there, the other intending to disassemble it and ship it back to New York. A seemingly endless stalemate ensues, and twenty years later, when a rogue CIA agent learns that both expeditions are still out in the wilderness, he embarks on a mission to exploit the temple as a geopolitical pawn. But the mission hurtles towards disaster when he discovers that the temple is the locus of grander conspiracies than anyone could have guessed.
Trade ReviewDazzling . . .
his best to date . . . If there is one adjective that describes Beauman's prose it is 'buoyant' - a quality which allows the reader to get through a long book with little effort, and the author to carry the
considerable heft of his intelligence lightly. And it is a roaming intelligence. -- David Patrikarakos * Spectator *
Madness is Better than Defeat is a Swiss watch:
there isn't a single moving part out of place . . . The jokes are
superb . . . a zestful romp? Undoubtedly. But that doesn't quite
do justice to the experience of reading
Madness is Better than Defeat. The book is certainly
a literary performance of a high order . . . The clockwork runs beautifully.
Every paragraph gives pleasure. -- Kevin Power * Literary Review *
Almost perfect . . . This is
one of the most purely enjoyable novels I've read in years - by turns
sad,
moving,
thoughtful,
intriguing,
clever,
enlightening,
surprising and
laugh-out-loud funny - which is more than enough.
I can't think of any type of reader who wouldn't enjoy it: whether your thing is genre, literary or, like this, a fizzling, sparking, sparkling mixture of the two. -- Darragh McManus * Irish Independent *
A teaming shaggy-dog comedy of megalomania and obsession . . . Beauman is a
sparkling writer, and his book bustles with diverting micro-narratives . . . A novel of
great intelligence and
humour, cleverly structured and
brimming with tricks . . . a
tremendous rainbow -- Tim Martin * New Statesman *
Beauman has a gift: he's
a natural comic writer. (
I've only read one funnier book this year) -- Cal Revely-Calder * Guardian *
It reminded me of a
Coen brothers film . . . I found it
enchanting, and I was happy to turn every page . . . I really enjoyed it -- Tom Sutcliffe * BBC Radio 4 Saturday Review *
I am
really enjoying it . . .
I have no clue what's going to happen when I turn the page -- Inua Ellams * BBC Radio 4 Saturday Review *
Wildly plotted,
comedic . . . One senses that behind the
vivacious plotting and baroque characterisation, Beauman's purpose is to question the "madness" of artistic endeavor . . . he emerges from his latest expedition
triumphant. -- Carl Wilkinson * Financial Times *
Beauman's fourth novel provides his usual
humour,
oddities,
convolutions and
impressive writing. * Mail on Sunday *
A
fun madcap mystery * Daily Mail *
Wildly original . . .
Madness could easily become a confusing mess but Beauman manages to keep the narrative consistently focused and engaging. This madcap ride about the eccentricities of humans
will keep you entertained till the last page * Bookriot *
Typically quirky . . .
Zany and sprawling * Tatler *
Beauman writes with
rare and
bizarre brilliance * Sunday Telegraph *
