Piece of Cake (novel)

Piece of Cake is a satirical war novel written by Derek Robinson, first published in 1983. The book is a black comedy that follows the exploits of a fictional Royal Air Force (RAF) fighter squadron, Hornet Squadron, from the phoney war period of 1939 through to the Battle of Britain in 1940.

The novel is notable for its cynical and often unflattering portrayal of RAF officers and their behaviour during the early stages of World War II. Robinson's writing style is characterized by dark humour, and the book highlights the perceived incompetence, self-interest, and detachment of some of the higher-ranking personnel from the realities of combat faced by the pilots.

Piece of Cake was adapted into a six-part television mini-series in 1988, produced by London Weekend Television for ITV. The series retained the novel's satirical tone and became popular despite some controversy surrounding its depiction of RAF officers.

The title, Piece of Cake, is an ironic reference to the phrase often used to describe something easy to accomplish. The novel suggests that the reality of war is far from easy, particularly for the young men facing the Luftwaffe in outdated aircraft and under questionable leadership. The book explores themes of class, social commentary, and the human cost of war. The narrative style is often fragmented, jumping between characters and perspectives to further emphasize the chaotic and often absurd nature of the events.