Review of 'Dishonesty in the Second-Best Policy'

Dishonesty in the Second-Best Policy by David Mitchell (Comedian)

A collection of (slightly expanded) of comedian David Mitchell's “Opinion” articles from the Guardian, “Dishonesty is the Second-Best Policy” includes articles ranging from a deep loathing of Brexit, popular culture, Artex, the social impact of the Internet, other, mostly cynical, criticisms of our world. Mitchell writes very much like he speaks: Sarcastic and often quite erudite which does mean some of his comments might go over the reader's head…well, they did mine…He also has a way of rambling around a topic, not necessarily addressing the issue or coming to any conclusions but simply making humours and, again, sarcastic comments about it which many will relate to see the absurdity that he draws out of it. I could hear his nasally, slightly posh accented voice saying the words as I read the book.

I have to say after reading the book I have promptly forgotten much of what he said mostly remembering that is was funny and slightly amusing. By it's very nature the chapters often ramble around a particular stream of consciousness meaning that they can get a bit long and tedious. This is most is most definitely “light, if somewhat taxing mentally, reading” told in Mitchell's imitable style…which may not be to everyone's taste (if you don't like English ironic humour you might want to best stay clear here).

Rating: “A bit better than average”

Review Date: 2025-03-08

Genre: Non-Fiction

Publisher: Guardian Faber

Publication Date: 2019

ISBN: 9781783351985