Amusings (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781803818078)

The micro Amusings of Australian author Ian Jackson suggests a definitive 'without fanfare' approach to humour and satire. His stories and ditties sweep across different genres and subjects with a thought-provoking approach to debate and discussion. A former London resident, his narratives are ensconced deep within the heart of Hampstead, the traditional London borough that is home to some of the richest inhabitants of our planet, yet also harbours the lower orders of the population, such as the jobless man at the end of his wits who finds himself thrust into the limelight when he suddenly inherits divine spiritual aptitude. Then there is the uber ambitious estate agent hatching a plot to use counter intelligence to inject dynamism into the housing market and the erstwhile leader of a secret mystical organisation burdened by the calling to make the most important announcement of his life to his followers. Jackson also tackles domesticity with the long suffering wife wondering how to spice up her staid marriage and politics comes under the radar when a Parliamentary Senate Committee is recalled to discuss the most far reaching scientific discovery of our age. Jackson's writing takes in spies, extra terrestrials, religion and intergalactic Superheroes in equal measure. Whether the reader is a political observer or a radical dreamer, has interest in religion or race, society or nature, conservation or the vagaries of one super power or t'other, Amusings tickles the edges of humour with its eclectic and succinct micro narratives. Subtle, laconic, surrealist and at times acerbic witticisms offer a translucent glance at generic satire, whimsically casting a glance at our post modern world.