I know this book will age but it depends from what perspective - I would describe the style as stream of consciousnesses and to be honest, it didn't all appeal in 'bulk'. Unlike Polly with fertilizer I don't really get things in bulk (*cough* kindle books *cough*)
Less of that might have meant it would be timeless... I didn't understand it all but did find some of the situations reminded me of times when things weren't so far off...
It didn't mean that it was hilarious. I was expecting slightly different substance- politics is quite big and the history is what won't age particularly well.
So mix: learning that politics is a yo-yo, physiological elements, passion (clean enough), realistic dialogue; you have my reading experience! It's not exactly what I'm used to & the comical layer was pretty thin. Despite all these (I'm amazed I managed to put my finger on them all- or did I?) it was a great reading experience because I love those unconventional books that teach you something... There were twists and it wouldn't describe any of it as 'fluffy' just because it all seemed to add to the book well (especially the subplot). It did come together...
See more on my blog HERE!

I wanted to love this book; I truly did. I fell in love with Elton's humor and political satire when I read Stark years ago. This book doesn't measure up. The pacing was great, and I confess there were times I had trouble putting the book down. I did find parts quite amusing, and, as a political junkie, I enjoyed the debate.

The problem I had was two-fold. First, I didn't think the story had enough depth. I found it frustrating that on one hand Elton seemed to be trying to tell a serious story about these two people who loved each other, but couldn't find a way to bridge the gap between their two vastly different worlds, and on the other hand, he was just doing a broad satire of left wing vs right wing politics, with a stereotypical stalker thrown in for good measure. He didn't give the characters enough depth to make me fully care about the love story, so why did he bother with all those flashbacks? Yet, in giving me the background, he seemed to almost want me to care about the characters - he just didn't give me enough to allow me to buy in. Also, I saw the ending coming a mile away. Elton is capable of better than that. In general, I don't think there was enough to the story to make a full length book - this would've worked alot better as a short story.

I know it sounds like I'm being harsh, and I probably am. I did enjoy the book, it just wasn't memorable, and it wasn't up to the standards I've come to have for a novelist the calibre of Ben Elton. Elton can do better, so I would not start with this book. My favorite Elton novels are Stark, and Chart Throb.

I thought this book started out lighthearted and funny, however it seemed that the further into the book you get the darker and more sinister it became, what with stalkers, people with histories and secrets that needed to be kept at any costs, it all got a bit too heavy in the end!!

Well written and amusing story which comes together beautifully. Ben Elton is a truly gifted author.

I've read a few of Ben Elton books and, although I've enjoyed them all, some have definitely stood out from the others. My all time favourite is 'Gridlock', but I'm going to have to put 'Blast From The Past' on the side for the better.

The book itself has an interesting premise - two people fall in love, but cannot pursue the relationship as they are entirely different people. 32 year-old Republican American soldier Jack Kent meets 17 year-old aggro-feminist war protester Polly in a café one summer and, against everything they believe in, spend the rest of it together. Polly's heart is broken at the end of summer, however, when Kent mysteriously disappears, choosing his profession over his heart. The book switches between flashbacks of the summer, and the present day, where Polly is being harassed by Peter, an avid stalker of hers. One night, the three of them clash in the most dramatic of ways.

A lot of people seem to have claimed the pacing as slow, but I found it anything but. Yes, the book is really only being told over one night, but Elton does this cleverly his use of the past and present, and leaves you feeling gripped. We as the readers already know it will last just until the morning, and so I found myself hurrying through the text to get the what happens before Jack has to leave.

The humour was interesting in this one as well. Not quite as present as 'Gridlock', yet still largely satirical. I often find it hard to read stories that follow political notions (in particular ones from different countries), yet I didn't find this such an issue. Elton draws between the parallels of the two main characters quite frequently, in a way that draws you in to their character clash. He produces humour, fear, uncertainty and confusion all into one story - I found it interesting how many times my character preference changed over just one conversation. Peter was an interesting element to the story and it was the parts about him and similar situations where you really needed Ben Elton to be the one writing it - the bluntness of the scenarios was hard to read at points, but Elton has a way of writing such things without you wanting to put the book down. It was certainly 'to the point', but it made it all the more exciting.

I'm excited to read more of Ben Elton's work. If you like satirical, British-style humour with compelling storylines, then this is one to read.

This is only the 2nd Ben Elton book that I have read and although not quite as good as the first (Past Mortem) it was still a very good read and the right ratio of thriller/drama/comedy/romance just like the other Elton title I have read. The method of writting used in this book was also a perfect balance of real time and flashbacks which enabled the reader to learn the story of the two main characters at just the right pace. I also liked the fact that this book was not overloaded with personalities and apart from three main characters there were only a handfull of supporting cast. If anything this book read just like a script and I would love to see Elton turn it into a TV drama. The ending (including the supposed twist) were some what predicatable but just as enjoyable and drama filled none the less.

A brilliant novel with such an unexpected twist it was literally impossible to see it coming until the last minute.
Polly works for the council, her life is going nowhere, she is lonely, depressed and a failed freedom fighter against the world's injustices.
Also foremost among her thoughts is the doomed love affair when she was seventeen she had with an American soldier who abruptly left her with no explanation.
Then there is the problem of "the bug" a stalking pest who is obsessed with Polly so all in all things are not going at all well.
Enter again after sixteen years Jack Kent, the affair of her teens and love of her life.
When she lets the answer machine pick up at 2am in the morning assuming it was Peter the bug she listens to the message but is shocked to find the caller is Jack.
But what is he here for after all this time?
What does he want or expect of Polly?
Only by letting him back into her life can she find out but things are not what they seem and the truth is only revealed in an explosive and exciting finale.
This is my first introduction to this author but I was gripped from the first page and will definitely be looking out for more of his work.
A wonderful and entertaining read.

Страхотна история, накара ме да се замисля за доста неща от моя живот.
Колко много може да се каже в толкова малко, шапка му свалям на Бен Елтън за този роман!

Great stuff

Ben Elton has created another really interesting story that combines love, lust, hope, fear, politics and morality into a heartfelt and often (but not overly) humorous tale of a 17 year old peace activist at Greenham Common who falls for an American soldier.

Worst book I’ve ever read.

Great story.