I am glad this is only the second Ben Elton book I have read, the first being Popcorn, because then I cannot compare it unfavorably with earlier, supposedly funnier books. Purely on its own terms I though "Blast" was excellent; well written, humorous, tightly-plotted, perceptive, and heart-warming at the end. It was well balanced between witty cultural criticism and good romantic storytelling. As a Brit who has lived in the USA for 20 years maybe I can appreciate sentiment a bit more than my cynical countrymen. But this is no soppy tale. There are a few deaths, allusions to the follies of both the US and UK, and, in my opinion, good dialogue. I thought it was a better book than Popcorn, which often tried too hard for its humour, the "sea of cleavage" passage being an example. I understand Elton used to write for the infantile show "The Young Ones." I think he's improved a lot, based on the evidence of this most enjoyable book.