“A fantastic read.” Loose Ends, BBC Radio 4"I Was a Potato Oligarch is the charming, witty and utterly hilarious telling of Mole's real-life experiences in a Russia still coming to terms with capitalism and competition...Mole is a bright, resourceful guy but his most valuable traits are his biting sense of humour and a willingness to take every setback in his stride. Mole's story makes for a wonderful read. " A behind the scenes insider's view of the 'new Russia' where anything is possible. This well written and highly entertaining book delves deep into the collective psyche of hte Russian people, whilst exploring what it takes to make money in the newborn capitalism of this coutnry that once stood as the icon for communism. The style is humorous and engaging, and a genuine fondness for Russia and its people shines throughout the book." "This is one of the most amusing travel books around. You don’t have to know any ex-soviets to appreciate the hilarious corners that John paints himself into...but if you have known any you will appreciate that John isn’t exaggerating! A real good read!" Spilling the Beans “Mole writes about his travel adventures in a skilfully engaging and funny manner.” Good Book Guide “Engaging and frequently laugh-out loud funny. ” Across the Moscow River and Moscow 1941
From the bestselling author of
It’s All Greek to Me! and from a traveller who likes to get his hands as well as his boots dirty, this is an eye-wateringly funny true story of his travels and travails in the New Russia Sometimes sinister, often hilarious and always entertaining,
I Was A Potato Oligarch is a Russian feast from caviar to samovar
The Soviet Union has disappeared along with people’s nationality, currency, jobs, salaries, pensions, politics. Oligarchs pillage the nation's wealth. It looks as if Russia might become a liberal democracy. It also looks as if it might plunge into chaos. These are fascinating times and John Mole wants to be part of this New Russia.
But what can he do? An MBA, 15 years in international banking and a few novels, have left him with few useful skills. Inspiration strikes - British fast food! Nobody is doing baked potatoes and the secret is in the packaging. He gets to work with technical advice from Jackets of Brixton, money from the British taxpayer, and a partnership with the Russian Farmers' Union. And then, just as it takes off - the summons. Breakfast with the mafia…
The potato business becomes a journey under the skin of the New Russia. Hired as a rabotnik, a worker, entitled to a week in a sanatorium every year, he tries to corner the market in business names and pizza cheese. He is taken for a corpse's son, a Red Square demonstrator and a vampire's victim. He tries to merge into his surroundings, too literally sometimes, but nothing that a hose-down and a change of clothes doesn't put right.
While he is trying to sell British fast food to Russians, Russians try to sell things to him. Fireworks, seashells, tungsten, the scrapings of baby reindeer horn. And advanced biotechnology, using bacteria to purify the air in submarines. Spuds end in fiasco. Bugs come to the rescue.
John Mole is the author of
Its All Greek to Me! which has sold over 30,000 copies. He has had a varied international career, from banking in the USA and Athens to jacket potato restaurants in Russia. He is also a well-known author of comic novels and the perennial bestseller Mind Your Manners.
