Common Sense
by Colin Wreford
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Pub Date 28 Jan 2022 | Archive Date 3 Mar 2022
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Description
Absolute power corrupts...absolutely.
The year is 2029. Prime Minister Bob Godwin and his brand new political party have just been elected on a manifesto of eliminating crime. This has been heard before, but they've convinced the public that they will make it happen by any means necessary. All good in theory, until harsh penalties are introduced. The death penalty and corporal punishment are reintroduced and all sexual relationships except heterosexual marriages are banned.
Sara Molan, an ambitious TV presenter, takes a stand and gets sucked in, intertwining her personal and professional lives with this political upheaval. As a result, the PM, already lost to his obsessive crusade against crime, starts entertaining dark thoughts about the advantages of power and his lust for Sara.
As protests increase and punishments become even more severe, the Prime Minister’s actions veer between eccentricity and downright bizarre. Can he overcome the opposition of former colleague David McDougall and manipulate Sara into helping him retain power for another 5 years? Can Bob Godwin keep the country, the media and opposition politicians at bay and continue to impose his will on the country? As the pressure rises violence becomes inevitable. Who will survive the dramatic conclusion? Set across five years, Common Sense questions how much faith we should put in our government and how much faith they should have in themselves. What started as good intentions can quickly make them veer onto the path to hell...
A Note From the Publisher
Colin Wreford is retired from the banking and finance industries and has been writing poems and song lyrics as a hobby in recent years. This is his first novel. He currently lives in Devon.
Marketing Plan
Dark dystopian novel surrounding politics and power set in 2029-2034
Challenges readers' views on important topics including the death penalty and judicial punishments
Dark dystopian novel surrounding politics and power set in 2029-2034
Challenges readers' views on important topics including the death penalty and judicial punishments
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781803130408 |
| PRICE | £9.99 (GBP) |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Kate S, Reviewer
I thoroughly enjoyed this quick read. Common Sense is a dystopian novel set in the very near future but unlike some other books of this genre you get the feeling that this really could happen. Like really, really could happen. Telling my daughter about the book she reminded me that in many countries in the world now in 2022 have governments that rule in a similar manner with homosexuality being illegal and adultery being a crime.
This book is a cautionary tale of how much power we allow our government to have and to think about what our prejudices and desires for criminal punishment really mean. This story is graphic but necessarily so.
I love how Wreford set out the novel. The little case histories showing how the criminal justice system was operating were perfect. Each vignette was short but impactful and because of this is kept the writing taut with no background padding required to build characters back stories.
The ending when it came was a shock on more than one level. Had I been reading on paperback I’d have been looking on the floor for pages that had fallen out. I still can’t decide if leaving it there was utterly perfect or if I wish it had continued for another fifty pages or so.
Andrea D, Reviewer
Common Sense is not just by Thomas Paine! It is also a dark dystopian piece set in England in the year 2029.
A new political party has taken control and within the party, a no-name man has wrested the power from the founders and become prime minister overnight. Prime Minister Bob Godwin. PM Bob is interested in rules, rules and RULES and legistlates everything, including sexual activity (marriage license, virginity checks). Corporal punishment, extended prison sentences...it is quite the dystopian nightmare.
Through a series of vignettes, we witness the implementation of the rules at the most personal level. It's incredibly interesting.
I did like this book quite a bit, but found the end rushed and a bit confusing. I think a bit more narrative to tie everything all together would help as well.
However it was a quick read and a sobering tale. A definite addition to the dystopian book shelf! #NetGalley #Matador #CommonSense
Reviewer 905879
What a different kind of book Thanks for the opportunity to review this was an ok book for me not my usual style generally stay clear of political thrillers.
The_Secret_Bookreview ., Reviewer
Common Sense is a dystopian novel set in the very near future but unlike some other books of this genre, you get the feeling that this really could happen. This book is a cautionary tale of how much power we allow our government to have and to think about what our prejudices and desires for criminal punishment really mean. Reading this book gave me Black Mirror feels!
This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.
3.5/.5
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