BOOK CLUB

Whips

BY CLEO WATSON

Pitched as House of Cards meets 50 Shades of Grey, Cleo Watson’s debut novel Whips was a promising choice for City A.M. Book Club’s first literary foray.

And it did not disappoint. Written by Boris Johnson’s former aide, Whips is a tale of the sex and scandals that run rife through Westminster’s halls, showing how transport select committees may be more exciting than you once imagined. Shenanigans pressed up against Notting Hill Smeg fridges and romps through Chequers, this is smut in flesh-coloured M&S tights.

Whips is undoubtedly a page turner, but at the heart of it is also a genuinely heartwarming story of female friendship and the power of politics to do good, believe it or not. Whips revels in its own ridiculousness and is a riot because of it.

...AND THE PUB

The City A.M. Book Club this month took to The Banker for its important literary discussions. Located riverside just by Cannon Street Station, this fine establishment provided a perfect backdrop to our discussion on feminism, politics and salacious literature. Doggy friendly too.