Rake's Progress

Rachel Johnson's dramatic plunge into the family business of politics - and how it all went spectacularly wrong.

Reviews

'God I wish Rachel was prime minister. She is at her funniest telling jokes against herself, and this story is packed with them on every page. In fact, I shrieked throughout her clever book, which is populated by some of the ghastliest people in the country, several of whom are not members of her own family. Reading it is like being invited to a deliciously gossipy party, with the wonderful benefit of not having to actually meet in person any of the complete horrors involved. Rachel is one of my very favourite picaresque heroines, who sees the humour in every situation - a gift as much as a necessity in her life.' -- Marina Hyde
'Fabulously indiscreet and funny...I should have loathed this book, but I'm afraid I loved it. It is sheer gossipy joy, the perfect escape from a fug of coronavirus anxiety...The definition of guilty pleasure' -- Gaby Hinsliff * Observer *
'There will be weightier political tomes this year than Rake's Progress, but you will not read one more entertaining. Johnson is a gifted writer, playful, self-deprecating and far more talented than she gives herself credit for....a wonderfully funny account of Rachel's arrival into political activism as a passionate pro-European.' -- Roger Alton * Daily Mail *
'I'm bats about her marvellous writing' -- Jilly Cooper
'Spectacular. The only honest thing I've ever read about political campaigning. Rachel Johnson, compelled by broad moral principle and close personal involvement, descends from the bright air of feature journalism to the dark ground of practical politics... After reading Rake's Progress you'll never think of running for office the same way. Indeed, you'll never think of running for office at all.'-- P.J.O'Rourke
'A terrific read' -- Emily Maitlis
'A riot and a riveting read about one woman's doomed battle against Brexit from within the Prime Minister's own family.' -- Amanda Craig
'This memoir is remarkable for its radical honesty.' -- David Sexton * Evening Standard *
'Reads more like a romp than a political tome...There is a lot of fun here, though, largely because Rachel is not worried about causing offence.' -- Rosamund Irwin * Sunday Times *
'Incredibly funny and indiscreet' -- India Knight
'Love them or loathe them, the British answer to the Kennedys...are never beige. Entertaining.' -- Patrick Kidd * The Times *
'Rake's Progress is about how she failed to get herself elected at the same time as her brother Boris strolled effortlessly into Number 10. It's full of slapstick and faux pas and nearly-missed planes...What she gives us is a wildly entertaining look at the workings of British democracy' -- Frances Wilson * The Oldie *
'Very funny and self deprecating and there's a lot about the Johnson family, who provide a lot of entertainment for the author and us all. Highly recommended.' -- Iain Dale