Budding Prospects, by T. Coraghessan Boyle

The American dream - or, at least, that chapter of it in which the doughty farmer strides fearlessly into the wilderness and tames it to provide food for a grateful nation - is brilliantly subverted in this tale of three city boys who venture into the wilds of northern California in order to grow 390 acres of cannabis and make half a million dollars apiece. Boyle writes with invigorating gusto and a nicely wry edge which, once you settle into it, is hugely enjoyable. And if the end is unbearably cheesy, well, you can forgive him, after the fun of getting there.