The God Desire

From the bestselling author of Jews Don’t Count

‘ A hugely heartfelt, funny, kind, fascinating, human and clever book ’ ALAIN DE BOTTON
‘ Magnificent. Breathtaking. And shockingly rare … another one-sitting wonder’ STEPHEN FRY

David Baddiel would love there to be a God. He has spent a lot of time fantasising about how much better life would be if there actually was such a thing as a Superhero Dad who chased off Death. Unfortunately for him, there isn’t. Or at least, that is Baddiel’s view in this book, which argues that it is indeed the very intensity of his, and everyone else’s, desire for God to exist that proves His non-existence. Anything so deeply wished-for we will, considers Baddiel, make real. The admission of his own divine yearnings makes for a book that is more vulnerable – and more understanding of the value and power of religion – than most atheist polemics. A philosophical essay that utilises Baddiel’s trademarks of comedy, storytelling and personal asides, The God Desire offers a highly readable new perspective on the most ancient of debates.

Reviews

‘This is such a fabulous book. Honest, powerful, moving. Can’t remember ever liking a book “in praise of atheism” as much as this. Many atheists don’t really get religion. David Baddiel absolutely does.’ Giles Fraser

Praise for Jews Don’t Count:

‘Jews Don’t Count is a supreme piece of reasoning and passionate, yet controlled, argument. From his first sentence, the energy, force and conviction of Baddiel’s writing and thinking will transfix you…as readable as an airport thriller…a masterpiece.’
STEPHEN FRY

‘I don’t think I have ever been so grateful to anyone for writing a book. Baddiel’s Jews Don’t Count is incisive, urgent, surprisingly funny and short. It’s also a beautiful piece of publishing. It needs to be read’
JAY RAYNER

‘Brilliant, furious, uncomfortable, funny. Essential reading.’
SIMON MAYO

‘I'm about a quarter of the way into this thus far and it's very well argued and written. It's a book you know the author HAD to write, and those are the best books’
JON RONSON

‘I only big up work I really believe is good and this is extra-ordinarily good. And important’
JONATHAN ROSS

‘This is brilliant – funny and furious, mostly at the same time’
MARINA HYDE

‘A convincing and devastating charge sheet’ Dominic Lawson, Sunday Times

‘It is so gripping – I read it in a single sitting’ Stephen Bush, The Times

‘A fascinating book, I urge you to read it’ Piers Morgan

‘I really think it’s a great book … the real triumph is its tone, its straightforwardness, and its spectacular tact and wit’ Adam Phillips, author of Monogamy

‘Funny, complex and intellectually satisfying – a really good piece of work’ Frankie Boyle

‘Just so brilliantly argued and written, I was completely swept along’ Hadley Freeman

‘David Baddiel is a brilliant thinker and writer. Even when I disagree with him – especially when I disagree with him – I feel profound gratitude for his intellectual and moral clarity. This is a brave and necessary book.’ Jonathan Safran Foer

About the author

David Baddiel was born in 1964 in Troy, New York, but grew up and lives in London. He is a comedian, television writer, columnist and author of four novels, of which the most recent is The Death of Eli Gold.