Louis de Bernieres: The war of Don Emmanuel's Nether parts (used)

De Bernieres does however, create a rich and vibrant world of his own. The book is very funny and quite political. I think the best parts are the sections detailing the corruption of the army and the aloof powerlessness of the political leaders.

When the spoilt and haughty Dona Constanza tries to divert a river to fill her swimming pool, she starts a running battle with the locals. The skirmishes are so severe that the Government dispatches a squadron of soldiers led by the fat, brutal and stupid Figueras to deal with them.

Despite visiting plagues of laughing fits and giant cats upon the troops, the villagers know that to escape the cruel and unusual tortures planned for them, they must run. Thus they plan to head for the mountains and start a new and convivial civilisation…