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Things Can Only Get Worse?
- Narrated by: John O'Farrell
- Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins
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Things Can Only Get Worse?
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Summary
Random House presents the audiobook edition of Things Can Only Get Worse?: Twenty confusing years in the life of a Labour supporter, written and read by John O'Farrell.
'...as the Labour candidate, I prepared for every possible question on the local radio election phone-in. What I had not prepared for was my mum ringing up to say that she agreed with John O'Farrell. On EVERYTHING.'
Things Can Only Get Worse is the personal story of one political activist helping Labour progress from its 1997 landslide to the unassailable position it enjoys today. Along the way he stood for Parliament against Theresa May but failed to step into her shoes; he was dropped from Tony and Cherie's Christmas card list after he revealed he always sent their card on to a friend from the SWP; and he campaigned for a new nonselective inner-city state school, then realised this meant he had to send his kids to a nonselective inner-city state school.
The long-awaited sequel to the best-selling Things Can Only Get Better is for everyone who could use a good laugh after Brexit, Boris and Trump. A roller-coaster ride through the last two decades via the very best political jokes (excluding the ones that keep getting elected).
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- P. Cox
- 04-03-18
Very entertaining. A must for left-leaning folk.
Very entertaining. A couple of quite poignant moments. Will be digging out a copy of the first book on the strength of this. Shame it isn't available in recorded format!
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- Mary Carnegie
- 31-05-19
Highs and lows of Labour supporters, with humour
It’s not always easy being a Labour Party member! John O’Farrell has lived through it all at local and national level. AND he retains a sense of humour and hope.
This book covers the years between the euphoria of the 1997 general election when the Tories were swept out of power after the years of Thatcher’s destruction of the UK society she didn’t believe in, and Major’s rather less malignant premiership. If only the Blair government hadn’t been overshadowed by the Iraq war so many of us marched against, no doubt we’d remember the good things that happened, and there were a lot.
The author successfully campaigned for a secondary school in Lambeth where he lived, but in the long run there were disappointments in that.
He has sat through long sparcely attended meetings, knocked doors, distributed leaflets and even once stood against Theresa May in a general election in true-blue Maidenhead, his home town.
He’s seen his local Labour MP, Kate Hoey, palling up with Nigel Farage (!) of all people.
The book ends with the encouraging result of the 2017 general election, but a sequel will be needed to reflect on the subsequent chaos of Brexit.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- R. Walker
- 18-10-23
Totally loved this!
You know how you sometimes feel bereft when you finish a good book because you want there to be more of it. Well, that’s how I feel with this one.
I didn’t actually know much about it before I listened but I come away wanting to be friends with John O’Farrell. There was so much in this that resonated with my soul. It is good to know there are people out there who have the same values, who feel the same grief at so much of what has happened, who believe so strongly in good education. Please, John, be my friend? I need more of this!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Don't leave your toaster in the rain
- 29-07-18
Uplifting and surprisingly nuanced
Uplifting and surprisingly nuanced. Account of the ups and downs of following recent political history by a Labour supporter. I think anyone active in their community or local politics could appreciate this memoir of patient commitment regardless of political affiliation.
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- AMK
- 30-10-17
Oh! ye lefties
Almost frightening in its succinct and wry progression from post Thatcherite optimism to what did we think we were doing? A refreshing lack of self justification. You tried, John, you tried.
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1 person found this helpful
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- ladygooner
- 08-12-17
fab
made me laugh so much... wanted to share it with maybot but figured it would be a waste!
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- apj789
- 25-08-18
Super
This is one of the funniest books I have read (listened to) in years. Told from the standpoint of a committed Labour Supporter.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Medusa
- 31-03-20
brilliant
I loved this book from start to finish, funny and st times depressing as it reminded me of Labour's failures over last 2 decades !
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- Jason
- 22-10-19
Interesting view of political life
I enjoyed the inside look into local politics
Funny and enjoyable while covering the major issues with a good opinion
Well worth a read
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- Nom de Plume
- 28-12-17
Optimism in the face of gathering gloom
John O’Farrell sums up my feelings nearly exactly. His world view matches mine. I found this book really heartening - his relentless optimism in the face of the frightening centripetal force that is now threatening parts of the West has given me hope. I like this book a lot. I’m going to be buying it for many friends and family members as a reminder of when the country looked outwards instead of in.
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