Matthew Steeples reviews Steven Berkoff’s first novel: ‘Sod the bitches!’ whilst the author shares his take on it in a video exclusive
We all complain about the bastards and bitches that plague our lives but those in Steven Berkoff’s first novel truly take the biscuit.
Featuring a central character whose life as a London based actor undoubtedly takes elements of Berkoff’s own, this 248-page story is both gritty and raw. Not for the faint hearted and peppered with expletives, the story is set across several decades in London and explores intertwined relationships with critics, spouses and lovers. Obsession and anger are tempered with amusing mockery of the press, the cult of celebrity and the “stiff bodiced, stiff necked… fear-ridden” British populace. Whilst Berkoff tells it like it is, he also isn’t afraid to graphically explore both sexual pleasures and frustrations.
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Sod the Bitches!
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Tellingly, the central “bitch” alludes to many of her type and though readers might expect a certain inevitably in the ending, they should be prepared for one that’s very different. Beware of the bitches; bitches beware.
Sod the bitches! by Steven Berkoff, Urbane Publications. To buy a copy click here. The first 100 copies ordered, signed by Steven, are available at the reduced price of £10 including postage.
Watch The Steeple Times’ exclusive video interview with Steven Berkoff about Sod the bitches! by clicking here.
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Readers have their say
3 comments
You put on a great launch party for the book Matthew with the team at La Brasserie. The cocktail was superb – I am a convert to VII Hills Gin now – and I thoroughly enjoyed Steven’s book. A tough read but one that was worth pursuing to the end – which as you say is not what you’d expect.
I am not sure that I got this right.. Is he saying that the decisions made by a civilized human being are inferior to the unthinking beast? I don’t understand at all his final point in the video; he asserts without demonstration that humanity becomes an “addicted” in the process of controlling its passions. Seriously?
Mmmm…I had a little trouble unravelling what he was trying to get across. That men are like big cats in the jungle jumping on random females as the mood takes him. Then having self control over what you are not supposed to be doing then turns you into an addict, like a drug addict?! Makes you wonder if he himself has had lots of affairs and mistresses throughout his marriage. Makes for a lot of unhappiness in the long term though. That aside he appears to be quite a fascinating person. Lovely Pussy by the way.