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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
I read this book because of the Brexit referendum context so I didn't know the characters from his other books. I was very interested in the political context and to be honest found the deviation into the characters stories a bit of a distraction. I thought the book sort of fizzled out after the referendum section but it reflected accurately the hatred and division that the horrendous referendum gave voice to. Spoiler alert we are f*****d!
emotional
funny
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:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
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:
Complicated
For anyone who voted remain or regrets voting Brexit. Expounding Englishness that led to the possibility of Brexit and what happens to English identity in the absence of being part of Europe. Funny, at times sad, but heartwarming characters. This is the only « Rotter’s club » book that I’ve read and it still works.
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A lovely conclusion to Coe’s roman-fleuve, which I remember reading at the time and thinking was the first good Brexit novel. Still feels so. It’s actually more enjoyable now than it was then, when it was all a bit fresh. Now it reads as a whistlestop tour of a monstrous five years in British politics, and is out for David Cameron’s blood.
I have a particular soft spot for Benjamin Trotter, Coe’s avatar. I’ve always identified with his sensibilities, foolishness, introspection, and Romanticism, and I do feel that he gets progressively side-lined as these novels go on. I suppose characters like Doug Anderton become a more convenient vehicle to talk about the political landscape. But one of the most strangely moving things I’ve ever read in a novel by Coe, actually, is the Coe’s decision to allow Benjamin the small victory that has alluded the author for his 30-odd year career.
I have a particular soft spot for Benjamin Trotter, Coe’s avatar. I’ve always identified with his sensibilities, foolishness, introspection, and Romanticism, and I do feel that he gets progressively side-lined as these novels go on. I suppose characters like Doug Anderton become a more convenient vehicle to talk about the political landscape. But one of the most strangely moving things I’ve ever read in a novel by Coe, actually, is the Coe’s decision to allow Benjamin the small victory that has alluded the author for his 30-odd year career.
I wasn't aware that this was the third part of a trilogy and thoroughly enjoyed it on its own. It perfectly captured the zeitgeist of Britain between the years of Olympic optimism and Brexit despair
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes