Citizen Orlov

I'd have to put this book somewhere between Kafka and Patrick deWitt. There are definite Kafkian undertones in a storyline that circles round several times but its a lot funnier than Kafka. Citizen Orlov, a worker on a fishmongers market stall, begins with our unlikely hero answering a ringing teleph......more

This is a well-written parody of the absurdity of politics in non-democratic countries (and maybe in democratic ones as well), offering a derogative look at political obsession, political ambition, pointless bureaucracy and the oppressive state of the common man under a totalitarian regime. It reads......more

CITIZEN ORLOV, the debut novel by Jonathan Payne, is a funny and often poignant tale of an ordinary man who gets caught up in extraordinary circumstances far beyond his control. Orlov is not your stereotypical spy thriller hero. He’s a fishmonger, selling fish at the local market and doing everythin......more

Citizen Orlov is a joy to read. Smiles and audible chuckles await readers throughout this smart sendup of spy novels. Payne's story of the gentle Citizen Orlov is reminiscent of Pratchett's Discworld where things are familiar yet different. There's a dash of Vonnegut in there as well, and I even fel......more

A delightful, absurdist spy romp in the vein of Terry Gilliam or Joseph Heller. Loved the whipsmart dialogue and Orlov’s stoic resilience in the face of batshit crazy events. A very fun read.......more