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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
I love a book that attempts to take the pulse of a nation. This is perfect post-Brexit reading and a wonderful multi-voice narrative though there were a couple of characters I preferred over others.
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A commentary on how Britain has got itself into the current pickle we are experiencing on a day to day basis. It is sad and humorous tale, again a bit like modern Britain, and my one disappointment was that I hoped it would all tie up in the end and there would be a happily ever after, unfortunately we will have to wait and see what happens in the real world.
It was enjoyable meeting up with Jonathan Coe's characters from his previous books, as well as making new friends. A gentle read that deals with the divisive issues that have dogged society for the last few years, showing how families, friends and colleagues have been affected on a personal level.
It was enjoyable meeting up with Jonathan Coe's characters from his previous books, as well as making new friends. A gentle read that deals with the divisive issues that have dogged society for the last few years, showing how families, friends and colleagues have been affected on a personal level.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
There are only a few books which I’ve read more than once. Pride and Prejudice is one of them; Brave New World another. And in this rare group you’ll also find Jonathan Coe’s What a Carve Up!
Sadly, his latest book, Middle England, will not be joining my fiction hall of fame. It seems Coe was asked to write a book about Brexit and that’s what he did. He resurrected his characters from The Rotters' Club (another great novel) and put them into Britain’s turbulent 21st C political landscape. And yet … those characters who were so engaging in The Rotters' Club, seem so dull in Middle England. Because here’s the thing…Brexit is boring. Yes, it’s important. Yes, I have a viewpoint – I’ve even taken to the streets to express it, and yet I find it as dull as dishwater.
In Middle England, Benjamin had written a book, which he asked his friends to critique and one of them advises him to ‘ get rid of some of the political, historical stuff’(well, actually, all of it.) But if you took away Coe’s political stuff, there’d be little left. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy Doug’s chats with the Tory spin doctor, the rivalry between the children’s entertainers and Colin’s selective memories of Midlands manufacturing. But without the Brexit timeline, there was little narrative to keep it going.
I’m sorry for the low ratings, because I really am a Jonathan Coe fan. It’s just on this occasion, he lacked the necessary biro. ( And if anyone doesn’t get that joke, read What a Carve Up!)
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.
Edited to insert the missing apostrophe into The Rotters' Club - (I'm so ashamed!)
Sadly, his latest book, Middle England, will not be joining my fiction hall of fame. It seems Coe was asked to write a book about Brexit and that’s what he did. He resurrected his characters from The Rotters' Club (another great novel) and put them into Britain’s turbulent 21st C political landscape. And yet … those characters who were so engaging in The Rotters' Club, seem so dull in Middle England. Because here’s the thing…Brexit is boring. Yes, it’s important. Yes, I have a viewpoint – I’ve even taken to the streets to express it, and yet I find it as dull as dishwater.
In Middle England, Benjamin had written a book, which he asked his friends to critique and one of them advises him to ‘ get rid of some of the political, historical stuff’(well, actually, all of it.) But if you took away Coe’s political stuff, there’d be little left. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy Doug’s chats with the Tory spin doctor, the rivalry between the children’s entertainers and Colin’s selective memories of Midlands manufacturing. But without the Brexit timeline, there was little narrative to keep it going.
I’m sorry for the low ratings, because I really am a Jonathan Coe fan. It’s just on this occasion, he lacked the necessary biro. ( And if anyone doesn’t get that joke, read What a Carve Up!)
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.
Edited to insert the missing apostrophe into The Rotters' Club - (I'm so ashamed!)
Ok. Das war eine Reise! Ich hab glaube ich noch nie so lange für ein Buch gebraucht. Ich hab es jetzt nach ziemlich genau einem Jahr geschafft.
Für mich persönlich ist es einfach zu sehr in die Länge gezogen. Der Anfang, bzw die ersten drei Viertel waren irgendwie ohne jede Spannung, kleine Anekdoten ohne Bogen. Erst zum Ende kommt die Bedeutung der Ereignisse zusammen und da hat es mir dann auch richtig gut gefallen.
Irgendwie hat das Buch was vom Leben. Es beschreibt einen langen Zeitraum und man begegnet immer wieder bekannten aber auch neuen Personen. Das ist wahrscheinlich nur mit dieser etwas langweiligen Erzählweise möglich.
Für mich persönlich ist es einfach zu sehr in die Länge gezogen. Der Anfang, bzw die ersten drei Viertel waren irgendwie ohne jede Spannung, kleine Anekdoten ohne Bogen. Erst zum Ende kommt die Bedeutung der Ereignisse zusammen und da hat es mir dann auch richtig gut gefallen.
Irgendwie hat das Buch was vom Leben. Es beschreibt einen langen Zeitraum und man begegnet immer wieder bekannten aber auch neuen Personen. Das ist wahrscheinlich nur mit dieser etwas langweiligen Erzählweise möglich.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual assault, Violence