Anthony McCarten — Show Of Hands

Vintage 2008 Paperback, 235pp. A huge crowd gathers around a car yard for the 'Win a new Land Rover Discovery' competition - all you need do is keep your hand on the car the longest. Attracted to this gruelling Darwinian contest are people from every walk of life, who for one reason or another - avarice, poverty, anger, revenge, despair, loyalty, love - see their salvation in winning the car. But who will win, and why? Will it be Tom Shrift, using his Mensa brain and general contempt for humanity; or the kindly meter maid Jess Podorowski, who needs the car as it will fit her daughter's wheelchair. Or will it be Matt, the poor little rich boy who wants a real challenge in his life; or Betsy, the flirtatious girl he takes a shine to; or the pensioner, the street kid, the ex-car thief, the soldier, or the numerous other contestants who line up. And if they can't win a car, which hearts might be won instead? A humane, funny and compelling novel about the greatest endurance contest of all: our daily lives. Also released as a feature film. (ISBN: 9781869419950). Very Good.