Brilliantly funny. For such a sensitive topic he tackled it so well and in such a unique writing style. It was both hilarious and heartbreaking

found this one in a box in the loft - bought years ago and never read
I was never a huge fan of Ben Elton as a comedian ( too political ) but I actually quite enjoyed this - Allowing for the fact it is dated .
liked the diary style of the book and felt the female aspect of the book was well written . I know that the author has experience of the issues in the book ( sadly me too but blessed with one son ) - I never went down the IVF route and maybe it would be too painful for those that have despite the comedy ( everyone handles things differently)
Some great one liners in there right down to the last page .

Alternating diary entries from a couple who are dealing with the inability to produce a baby together - that's how this book is written. Sam wants to be a writer, but there's only one problem. He isn't writing.

Lucy wants to be a mother, but there's only one problem. She can't seem to get pregnant.

Ben Elton tells a story about a serious issue (infertility) with loads of humour and some great dialogue. However, he doesn't manage to completely break the stereotypical gender moulds - the man who appears aloof and disconnected, and the woman who is desperate for a child. So, while the story moves along with great speed and has some really funny moments, there are also parts that are a bit cliched. Also, the characters remain a little two-dimensional.

Nevertheless, I did enjoy the book and I'll surely be reading more from the author.

Το ποιο κουραστικό βιβλίο που έχω διαβάσει ποτέ.
Ενίοτε ότι έμεινε στη μέση και χαρίστηκε!

Ben Elton at his best

Funny, poignant, slick, brilliant . Not a challenging read, but i was engaged from start to finish. Just read it!

I’d read Inconceivable some years ago and decided to pick it up again this week. I was instantly gripped by the voices of the two main protagonists, Sam and Lucy Bell, who are trying for a baby.
Ben Elton perfectly captures their voices - the laddish and insensitive Sam and the desperate and hormonal Lucy. It’s written in the form of their diary entries. Not an easy feat but it’s perfectly sustained throughout. As well as capturing the raw pain of infertility, Ben Elton explores other yearnings: the desire to be successful and validated by others; the yearning to be found attractive and loved. The ending is clever and unexpected, but emotionally satisfying. A great read, despite the earthy language.

Time Taken To Read - 3 days

Blurb From Goodreads

Lucy desperately wants a baby. Sam is determined to write a hit movie. The problem is that both their efforts seem to be unfruitful. And given that the average IVF cycle has about a one in five chance of going into full production, Lucy's chances of getting what she wants are considerably better than Sam's.

What Sam and Lucy are about to go through is absolutely inconceivable. The question is, can their love survive?

Inconcievable confirms Ben Elton as one of Britain's most significant, entertaining and provocative writers.

My Review

This is a story about a happily married couple who want a baby. The book isn't in chapters but rather diary entries. Lucy writes hers as Dear Penny, a childhood friend whilst Sam goes with dear book or sometimes without title. The entries follow their journey from hitting 5 years of trying for a baby but now seriously looking at why they aren't pregnant and investigating it.

For me the book reminded me of Bridget Jones diary, not just in format but in that there is a lot of humour involved. You can empathize with both characters and you get to see the same story from two view points. Despite the serious nature of the main issue there is a lot of humour involved in the book, there is also a lot of crass and crude language throughout, so not for the easily offended.

The book covers some serious issues and despite it being a fairly humourous book I did learn a bit about the IVF process and what couples have to go through when facing difficulties in trying for a baby. Funny, sad, emotional and a bit of a rollercoaster I did enjoy this and wasn't too sure how it would end which is always a plus, 3/5 for me this time and I would read Ben Elton again (I have read one or two of his before).

3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ I enjoyed this. Super funny in places and overall super sad. I have read better ones by Ben Elton. Interesting to see both sides of the infertility story.

I first read Inconceivable when it was first released and loved it. Twenty years later I revisited it and was again smitten with this warm, sad, sensitive, and very funny tale.

Sam and Lucy struggle with conceiving a baby. Thats basically the main plot. There are subplots - involving a handsome actor who is enamoured with Lucy, and a subplot involving Sam’s career - but basically it’s about Sam and Lucy’s journey.

One of the most spectacular achievements of this book is the shifts between Sam and Lucy’s POVs. I genuinely felt like i was in each of their minds as the story went between them. Ben Elton captures Sam with ease - i imagine there’s some autobiographical stuff - but it’s his capturing of Lucy’s voice so well that is especially powerful.

The reason it’s not five stars upon a reread is that i found the stuff about Sam’s work to be mostly a bit unengaging and boring. The section with the Prime Minister is fun but otherwise I could’ve done without all that.

Still a great book that I highly recommend!

Leuk maar iets te opvallend dat het geschreven is door een man

Entertaining and easy read. Opened up a number of relationship issues with the usual tact and humour you expect from Ben Elton.

Struggled to find any sympathy for such a self-obsessed, middle class couple. Disappointing.