The satire of X-factor was funny in places, insightful in places but far too protracted and in need of cutting to half its length. The sub-plots of the relationships of the Simon Cowell character, the reality show of the transexual Sharon Osborne character, the gutlessness of the Louis Walsh character, the involvement of Prince Charles in the story, and the final ending section were ridiculous, implausible and irritating. The shame is, that like several Ben Elton books I've read recently, there is a a really good idea hiding in there, its just executed really really badly. So one small part of me wants to recommend this book, and to refer to it when I watch X-factor, but the rest of me wants to warn anyone thinking of this book how bad most of it is. I think the latter part wins. My best advice is to get someone who has read it to tell you the plot in five sentances and if you still have any interest then you can buy it with realistic expectations (but I bet you won't bother).