From Amazon.co.uk
A brilliantly funny novel from the author of 'The Abstinence Teacher' and 'Little Children', made into an acclaimed film starring Reece Witherspoon and Matthew Broderick. Tracy Flick wants to be president of Winwood High. She's one of those ambitious girls who finds time to do it all: edit the yearbook, star in the school musical, sleep with her English teacher. Staunch idealist, Jim McAllister (aka 'Mr M') thinks the students deserve better. So he persuades Paul Warren -- a well-liked, good-hearted jock -- to run as well. But that puts Paul's sister, Tammy, in a snit. So she runs too, on an apathy platform -- before starting a real campaign to get herself kicked out of school. The idea was to educate the students of this suburban New Jersey school in the democratic process and the American way. But with all the sex scandals, smear campaigns and behind-the-scenes powerbrokers at Winwood High, it doesn't look as if they need any lessons.

I read this book the wrong way round; I saw the film version first. Last year I read Little Children by Tom Perrotta and was so impressed with the way he portrays the under-dog character. So I decided to read The Election.

The book was more sad than the film. In the final pages it felt like no-one was truly happy in spite of their best efforts to do the right thing. Chapters are written from various perspectives such as Tracey Flick, who desperately wants to win the high school election to Tammy Warren who wants to be transferred to a single-sex school due to her lesbianism. It's a quick read and I regret somewhat not keeping it for the Read-A-Thon I might be taking part in during April.

Shall be released at the Glasgow Bookcrossing Meet Up.

Being released at the Occupy Glasgow campsite.