The New Republic

The New Republic provides a satirical examination of the world of journalists. Focusing on Edgar Kellogg, the corporate lawyer turned freelance journalist, the novel uses Shriver's trademark acerbic wit to explore just what it is that makes people popular.

Assigned his first ostensibly 'big' writing job, Edgar is sent to a far flung region of Portugal- Barba- where his predecessor, Barrington Saddler has mysteriously disappeared. Thrown in with a group of journalists from around the world, all of whom are hung up on the disappearance of this larger than life character, Edgar soon discovers the paramilitary organisation at the heart of the community may not be quite what it seems.

Following in his predecessor's footsteps, and thriving on his own personal sense of power and control, Edgar impersonates terrorists to his own end. It is uneasy subject matter post 9/11, and Shriver only felt able to publish the book last year, considering enough time to have lapsed for readers not to characterise the story as insensitive.

The New Republic has a cast of unlikeable characters, as faithful Shriver readers would expect, though the novel's flippant portrayal of journalist's treatment of international terrorism may prove difficult for some.