The Napoleon of Notting Hill

‘The joke is the noblest thing in the world. The joke is older than the throne, and will survive it.‘ A colourful reimagining of the year 1984, written eighty years before its occurrence, The Napoleon of Notting Hill is a playful yet philosophical satirical novel which explores how meaning can emerge from even the most absurd situations. The year is 1984. The British government has become impersonal and apathetic, not run by a particular party or corresponding ideology, but by the random selection of a new figurehead each year. When the eccentric Auberon Quin – who loves nothing more than a good gag – is chosen to lead the country, the nation begins to take a whimsical turn. In an attempt to liven up London, Auberon transforms the city into a mock-medieval town, complete with crests, flags and costumes. Everything is a joke – that is until Adam Wayne, a young man claiming to be the Napoleon of Notting Hill, begins to take it seriously. A masterclass in how even silliness can transcend into nobility, The Napoleon of Notting Hill is one of Chesterton‘s finest satirical works. This audiobook edition is compellingly narrated by Justin Avoth. Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874 – 1936) was an English novelist, philosopher, journalist and critic. A Christian apologist, he is famed for creating the fictional priest-detective Father Brown. His writing was also renowned for his sense of humour: known as ‘the prince of paradox‘, Chesterton often turned common sayings upside down. Admired by several of his literary contemporaries, Chesterton‘s work is still widely read today.