Tracing various meanings of the acronym “fubar,” the story chronicles the adventures of an array of characters from diverse cultural, social and ethnic backgrounds, all of whom strive to leave their mark—at times in legitimate and at times in iniquitous ways.
As the adventures unfold, one message emerges: whereas in the private sphere opportunities for harmony and reconciliation arise, mainly at the behest of the younger generations, in the public/political arena, strife reigns unabated.
Excerpt
Chaos theory running amok as usual, it was in the downstairs lounge of The Ritz where the nouveaux riches went to sip tea that CeCi bumped into her soon-to-be-ex-husband, Dwayne Snr. In the background a bloke in tails tinkled the ivories of a Steinway grand, smiled toothily like some latterday Liberace, and played mainly pre-WW2 numbers although he also took Casablanca-type “play it again, Sam” requests. It was all very mock-historical as a reminder of Britain’s once glorious past perhaps. CeCi didn’t like it much but sipped at her tea anyway because there was nothing else for her to do. Being in London to look for her son was all fine and dandy but talk about needles in haystacks when it came to taking the first step in the investigation. For all she knew the boy could be in freaking Scotland by now.
It was an unusually antsy CeCi therefore who tipped her tea into its saucer when Dwayne Snr waltzed in, yacking thirteen to the dozen in the ear of some foreign looking dude, possibly Russian from the look of him CeCi thought. She shrank down in her chair, hid behind her phone for a bit then, as in the old time movies, snatched up a copy of the day’s Times newspaper and hid behind its pages.
“Holy fuck,” she muttered to herself, as Dwayne Snr ushered what was evidently his guest to a neighbouring table and took to bullshitting in the familiar Dougal Klank manner CeCi had come to detest while simultaneously clicking his fingers at a passing flunkey and ordering “the usual” like he owned the place. Which, knowing Zobinski wasn’t beyond the bounds of possibility—a slice of the place anyhow.
“Jesus pleasus,” she couldn’t help herself whispering at this unfortunate turn of events as she speed read an article about the thing called Brexit, which even The Times reckoned was going to leave the UK up at the wrong end of shit creek without a paddle.
Dwayne Snr half turned his head and hissed, “Keep the noise down, sister.”
Mind you, as coincidence would have it, Brexit was also the subject of the conversation with his guest, indeed a Russian named Anatoly Munchkov who also owned a slice of The Ritz, only Zobinski’s line was radically different to that in The Times, echoing as it did the same line as that of the madman in the White House.
“Man that Brexit plays right into our ballpark,” he was telling Munchkov, who to judge from the glazed eyes spoke little American. But he nodded and muttered “da” a few times nonetheless. Even CeCi knew what da meant and in what language.
“We break up the goddam European Union country by country and whadda we get?” Dwayne Snr continued. “And that ain’t no rhetoricalistical question, right?”
Professional Reviews
An interesting read yet again from Paddy Bostock
An interesting read yet again from Paddy Bostock, this is just what I needed during the long journey I had to take recently.
It starts with how the acronym for FUBAR as a slang and how the characters associated with the lead character and others find their way around what life throws them.
I loved Tosh and his Mutt and would have loved it if Tosh did not just take in his mum when she had a "change" of heart once he became famous. That's just my personal opinion but everyone's POV is different.
Dwayne, Tosh's friend, Tosh's best four-legged friend Mutt and their journey along with that of their friends is a treat to read. As always, I love Paddy's writing style that's so different from the other authors. However, it doesn't take away your reading fun but it's not a slight read. Be prepared for drama, fun, romance and more in this tale and enjoy the ride! - Sherin Lloyd
Fubars
This is a story that will keep you engaged in the story until the last word of the last page. It is an unforgettable and unique story that will leave you thinking and reflecting on the state of the world and your personal life. I just love stories like this.
Is there something in a name? There is in that names allude to a person and his or her background as well as culture. Every name and every person has a story, a background that has to be told. It is by hearing about these people’s stories that we can become who are uniquely too. We all have good and bad inside all of us. We just need to accept it.
The characters showcased in Fubars have an amazing depth. They are all interesting in their own right because they come from so many different backgrounds and cultural settings. Some of these characters have shady backgrounds. Others are inspiring and even people who make one feel inspired.
Here is a selection of the more important characters that Bostock entertains in his story. Fergus Ulysses Barr is a timid person of British descent who is multifaceted. He is selfish and rich. Dwayne Junior Zobinsky is the son of a New York businessmen as well as an artist. Tosh is a rebel and wandering musician of sorts. Then there are all the other characters who represent all of us in one way or the other. They are politicians and parents as well as girlfriends and all kinds of other people in between.
One of the themes that emerges as the story unfolds is that reconciliation and harmony is much more possible in our private lives than in the lives of public office. The only thing that is constant is strife and conflict. And we don’t have to go far to witness that in our political and cultural arenas.
This is another one of Paddy Bostock’s great stories. I have read most of his latest books, and I can honestly say that he is a GREAT storyteller. The characters are real and they have soul. The questions posed are deep and sometimes they even took my breath away.
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Irene S. Roth
This novel starts out funny and ends up even funnier.
REVIEW: Píaras Ó Cíonnaoíth (Irish Author and Poet)
We regularly face a number of incidences that make all of us understand just how ridiculous or evil some people's behavior or ideas might be. Satire is the capability of showing, basically ridiculing these kinds of incidences by utilizing humor or hyperbole. It may be specific at nation-wide politics, society, tradition or individual people. Satire focuses on raising an individual's mind by smartly and shrewdly getting glimpses associated with high and also lowly things. It is admonition of vices creating good fun of the unique activity through powerful use of mockery and biting wit.
Author Paddy Bostock weaves a mesmerizing political fantasy tale, with intriguing twists and turns that will easily captivate the reader’s attention from the beginning. The author paints an adventurous and action-packed satirical tale in a very vivid and convincing way. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction. It’s a fast-paced novel that will keep you engaged from the first page to the last.
I’ve read this author before and it’s safe to say that his storylines leaves the reader spellbound to say the least. Paddy Bostock leaves the reader again mesmerized with ‘FUBARS’. The storyline and plot of ‘FUBARS’ was amazing. From beginning to end, the author holds the reader’s interest.
As always, Paddy Bostock does a great job with character and story development. He’s so prolific, so inventive, so exactly what I want to read. This book starts good but ends great and this is one book I didn’t want to end. Paddy Bostock’s writing style is both captivating and hypnotic.
The contrast between tone and content is a characteristic talent of only a few authors. Bostock pays as much attention to his sentences as he does to his plots, shifting or consolidating meaning with the use of a single word. His writing is impeccably honed, full of juxtapositions and qualifications that help to create a satirical atmosphere that will leave you laughing out loud.
I was uncertain as to what FUBAR actually meant until a Google search revealed that it was an acronym for F***ed Up Beyond All Recognition! Soldier Slang of World War II. Enter the main protagonist: Fergus Ulysses Barr. A clever title with an equally clever storyline.
There’s no doubt that ‘FUBARS’ is an exceptionally well-written book. However, it must be said that this story is not for the faint-hearted or easily offended. A word of caution, therefore, for those who are linguistically sensitive. Nevertheless, the themes and outcome are just as affecting in the arresting contemporary political landscape.
Highly recommended and a well-deserved five stars from me.
EDITORIAL REVIEW: (Emerald Book Reviews)
In a field crowded with disappointing tomes, what a pleasure it was to read ‘FUBARS’ by Paddy Bostock and be introduced to something exceptionally well written. Fans of Satire and Comedy will love having a nibble on this one! An absolutely unputdownable book.
– Emerald Book Reviews
EDITORIAL REVIEW: (Atlantic Way Review)
A mesmerizing and laugh out loud satirical political fantasy tale. Highly recommended!
– Atlantic Way Review
Back in the day, in 1961, as a freshman at a Northwestern Wisconsin techie and teachers college, in order to be a BMOC (big man on campus) one would join the FUBARs (fouled up beyond repair--cleaned up a bit). They were an independent fraternity that the current university president had belonged to with no national affiliation and a penchant for gross pledging rituals like forcing drunk aspirins to walk naked on broken glass. They are now gone, probably the victims of political correctness.
So, your title caught my eye right away. In that small excerpt, you created strong characters for two or three individuals and mentioned two of the most contentious political issues of our time, Brexit and the goings-on in the American White House.
It takes skill to write good satire and your glowing reviews tell me that you have, once again, succeeded. I hope I get a chance to read FUBARs very soon. Looks like you have another winner.
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