Wake Up is narrated by John, a potato magnate, as he spends a day driving round and round a city ring road analysing his life. Within pages John had all my eco-feminist hackles bristling, but the story Upwas nonetheless compelling.

John reveals to us fairly early on in the novel that he can't be trusted. How much of what he tells us can be believed?

On several occasions he admits to having lied to us. But he arrogantly dismisses his propensity to mislead and carries on unrepentantly. He confesses deceptions he has perpetrated on others, blithely assuming his right to manipulate and deceive in both his professional and personal lives, whatever the consequences.

And this seems to be the point Tim Pears is making. The writer is pointing out to us how easily we can be deceived.

Pears is obviously well informed about issues of globalisation and the environment, as his narrator discourses on his wife's 'green' leanings.

But in spite of John's awareness of such issues he still insists on following the opposite path. Focusing on the currently 'hot potato' of genetic engineering, Pears' wake up call is one to be heeded.

Gael Impiazzi

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Wake Up is available now in paperback.