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madigreta7's review
5.0
Tory Heaven - Marghanita Laski
This book was absolutely fascinating, my first read from persephone books. Set in an alternative Britain, where instead of pursuing left wing goals after World War 2, an extreme ‘Tory’ state has been created. Every member of society is assigned a strict ‘grade’ based on their social background, with ‘A’ members of society being the aristocracy and upper classes, and ‘E’ members of society living in abject poverty. We follow James as he returns from his travel abroad and navigates the new régime. Ultimately, this book was so fascinating. I highly recommend this book!
This book was absolutely fascinating, my first read from persephone books. Set in an alternative Britain, where instead of pursuing left wing goals after World War 2, an extreme ‘Tory’ state has been created. Every member of society is assigned a strict ‘grade’ based on their social background, with ‘A’ members of society being the aristocracy and upper classes, and ‘E’ members of society living in abject poverty. We follow James as he returns from his travel abroad and navigates the new régime. Ultimately, this book was so fascinating. I highly recommend this book!
sarahlreadseverything's review
4.0
A biting satire contemplating an extreme conservative government in the aftermath of WWII, that brings back a traditional English class-system, but to its logical extreme. Our anti-hero, James (of impoverished toff background) suddenly finds all of his dreams have come true. . . but is the new social order as perfect for him as it first appears?
A fun read and just the right length (any longer and it would have started to drag).
A fun read and just the right length (any longer and it would have started to drag).
philippakmoore's review
5.0
Magnificent. I recognised the Britain I live in at many points in this story of “Tory Heaven”, and was horrified. It was published in 1948 and the parallels with the way politics/social issues have been going in recent history are nothing short of astonishing. It’s a compelling read and very funny in places. But a warning shot nonetheless.
graceve's review
challenging
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
rhonabro's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
veelaughtland's review
4.0
Why is that I put of Persephone books for years? I always end up really enjoying them. And this one was no different of course.
What a fantastic satire on the political landscape of post-WW2 Britain (and dare I say still as relevant in the year 2020 as it was during the 1940s?). Sharp, funny, fantastical, and full of loathsome characters - particularly the protagonist James. He is one you love to hate - haughty, privileged, and also very very stupid. This was such a good laugh, I knew Marghanita Laski wouldn't disappoint. I will need to continue working my way through her bibliography.
What a fantastic satire on the political landscape of post-WW2 Britain (and dare I say still as relevant in the year 2020 as it was during the 1940s?). Sharp, funny, fantastical, and full of loathsome characters - particularly the protagonist James. He is one you love to hate - haughty, privileged, and also very very stupid. This was such a good laugh, I knew Marghanita Laski wouldn't disappoint. I will need to continue working my way through her bibliography.
amyalicejakob's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A satirical look at how a Tory Heaven would play out, this was very tongue in cheek and I loved it. The main riff is that good things should come to those with proper breeding, and come easily, no questions asked. Intelligence is looked down upon, and women, of course, go back to breeding and homemaking. The protagonist James is an imbecile with a good surname and in normal society had found his lack of wits a barrier, but no more! In Tory Heaven, all he needs is his parents' name. This was written as a reply to the increasing mumbling of the middle classes in the time of socialism after WW2. They were of course happy that they were being looked after by the state, but not happy with the rise of the "lower classes". The levelling of the playing field under socialism. It is so, so sad to see how much of this is apparent in today's government. But light hearted and very funny. Not for Tories though. 😅
laurasaurus's review
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
emmadalrymple's review
4.0
Galloped through this in one day. What would society look like if the (1940s British) Conservatives had their way? Eminently readable and just the sort of speculative story I’ve seemed to like most in these near-apocalyptic days.
elj_ne's review
4.0
Some brilliant class satire, very amusing. Also terrible considering where we are now as a country.