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PETER MCGREGOR'S FIRST NOVEL
In 2010 life catches up with satirical fiction
Peter McGregor’s satirical novel “The Retreat” anticipates some of the key issues and outcomes of the 2010 General Election such as proportional representation, the problems of government coalitions, and a final realignment of the Parties. In a background stretching from 1996 to 2022 it focuses on current social and political targets such as greed, immorality, political correctness, the unreasonable influence of minority groups, the dress and habits of the population, dumbing down, gated communities, sexuality, immigration, religion and the present hostility to science
The book opens in 1996 when the Council of the European Union forces the UK to adopt a proportional voting system. A young man in Conservative Central Office realises that if the right system were chosen it could prevent New Labour from winning the 1997 General Election. The Conservative Prime Minister follows the suggestion but the law of unintended consequences results in chaos. The Speech from the Throne in the new Parliament is rejected, there are endless attempts to form a coalition Government and the Queen has to be persuaded to accept a new constitutional settlement.
Meanwhile a group of scientists who dislike what the UK has become decide to do something about it. If Native Americans can have their own reservations, why not Native British (NBs)? They create their first sustainable reservation in the beautiful Hebridean islands of Islay and Jura (where George Orwell wrote Nineteen Eighty-Four and thousand of geese fly in every year from their summer breeding grounds in the Arctic), keeping out anyone they do not like and expropriating the tax on malt whisky. The action moves to 2022 in which period most of the book is set. People who know about the NBs refer to them as “The Nimbys”.
By 2022 the original reservations have expanded. What is their future? The story is about the struggle between the communities who have retreated and the rest of the country which they have left behind, and amongst the community members about their obligations to the less fortunate. Is it possible to create an ideal community which is free and open? Is there an alternative to the pursuit of personal wealth?
“The Retreat” combines political satire, science fiction,a sharp analysis of Britain today and a romantic meeting, posing the question whether one can create a better society which is still completely free
The astonishing denouement is centred on this question.
AVAILABLE FROM ALL BOOKSHOPS AND ON LINE BOOKSELLERS SUCH AS AMAZON.
ISBN 978-1-84923-201-2 PRICE £10-99.
LESSONS IN DUPLICITY
PETER MCGREGOR'S SECOND NOVEL
Suddenly John Tamplin's
personal and business life was under siege - could he retain his integrity?
.....a story of lust, lies, loyalty and love
in the real world of industry and politics
John Tamplin is shattered when during a normal business trip to Central amd South Africa in 1970 he finds himself at the Victoria Falls Hotel in bed with Avril Llewellyn-Rhys from whom he was separated by her parents 26 years earlier when he was 18 and she was 15. He is still unable to resist her, although the sweet young girl has turned into a sophisticated, self-assured and mysterious woman who expects to get what she wants, introduces him to members of the Rhodesian rebel government , and shoots their way out of a sudden terrorist ambush. They part, not expecting to meet again.
Back in England with Eleanor, his adored wife to whom until then he has always been faithful, he finds that the family shareholders in the company for which he works are squabbling about its future and that he cannot avoid being sucked into the argument. He tries to put all thought of Avril out of his mind and get on with his difficult business task with its many complications in which he learns that his normally open and honest way of managing becomes increasingly impossible, even when he is trying to save the livelihoods of most of his colleagues. Eleanor worries that the man she loves is changing, and they are both unhappy that they are ceasing to share a common view of the world.
Unexpectedly Avril appears in England and attempts to take charge of his life. As he fights his way more and more ruthlessly through labour disputes, takeover bids and merger talks with a German company he is subjected to the influence of the two women, Eleanor offering him a future in which you try to live a good life, and Avril one in which you do what you have to do to get what you want. It is Eleanor's determination and the surprising relationship which develops between her and the younger of the two women family shareholders which in spite of his last treacherous action enables him to find a way forward.
“I enjoyed it”
Sir Geoffrey Owen, Former Editor The Financial Times
“Where are these people who think that engineers and scientists are an illiterate lot?”
Dr Tom Lunt, Manchester Statistical Society and Ferranti Limited
“What a great book.............. I really enjoyed it. And what a twist at the end!”
Robert Wilson, Chairman and MD Wilson Transformer Company Pty Ltd Melbourne Australia.
"A shrewdly observed tale of the cruel and ever-present machinations at the heart of industry, the City and Whitehall, with a fascinating glimpse of Africa emerging from colonial rule. It is interwoven with a romantic thread that reawakens youthful memories and 'what-if'’s but, in the final twist, banishes them safely back to reality. Definitely a book of the ‘can't be put down’ variety.”
Allan Duncan, formerly Director, HM Inspectorate of Pollution, Dept. of Environment."
“A well-written and absorbing book with an unpredictable and satisfying end."
Ted Murphy, former UK Government computer scientist
Published by Trafford Publications ISBN 1-4251-0069-1
Available from bookshops or on line price £19.13
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