Reviews - Bournville | The StoryGraph

318 reviews for:

Bournville

Jonathan Coe

3.8 AVERAGE

marijeanneke's review against another edition

4.0

3.5, rounded up because I'm a sucker for a family history of mundane families

abimaspn's review against another edition

4.0

I didn’t think I was going to enjoy this book, as I found the prologue incredibly dull, but as soon as the story went back in time to the VE Day celebrations and began telling Mary’s story as a child I was hooked. It was incredibly well written, and I loved how the writing style differed for each event section of the book. It was genuinely a pleasure to read about this family across the generations, witnessing these historical events, and the relationships and dynamics between all the characters and how they all connected. I will defiantly be looking out for more books to read by Jonathan Coe.

crabbit40's review against another edition

3.0

emotional lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

michielvandenberghe's review against another edition

4.0

Bournville tells a family story at the pace of memorable moments in British history, from the end of WWII till the first corona lockdown. Societal changes and political conflicts intertwined with personal stories is trade mark Jonathan Coe.
Especially, the description of the ‘chocolate war’ fought in European Parliament committees between British and French/Belgian MEPs is highly amusing and painfully close to reality I imagine.