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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Middle England is an easy and enjoyable read set between the Midlands and London, in a time of political crisis (prepare for the dreaded word...Brexit)
Following the lives of a variety of characters, who have appeared in some of Jonathan Coe's other novels (this was news to me after id finished ME) it documents the sense of chaos, unpredictability and harshness of Britain in the lead up to Brexit.
Looking back and reading it now long after the exit deadline has passed, I couldn't help but laugh at all of Coe's witty humour, albeit with plenty of despair. Brexit continues to haunt us, but this novel is a delight.
I'd recommend this to fans of Ali Smith, Sarah Moss or Ian McEwan
Following the lives of a variety of characters, who have appeared in some of Jonathan Coe's other novels (this was news to me after id finished ME) it documents the sense of chaos, unpredictability and harshness of Britain in the lead up to Brexit.
Looking back and reading it now long after the exit deadline has passed, I couldn't help but laugh at all of Coe's witty humour, albeit with plenty of despair. Brexit continues to haunt us, but this novel is a delight.
I'd recommend this to fans of Ali Smith, Sarah Moss or Ian McEwan
This was an excellent book. I really enjoyed it. It may have been my favourite in the series. My only quibble was that the last chapter felt a little contrived, but that wasn't enough to effect my overall rating of the book. Fascinating look at Brexit - I didn't really follow it as it was happening and became aware of it late in the day, so didn't know all the ins and outs. It makes me happy not to live in England.
I forgot how funny Coe can be. There were several instances where he made me laugh out loud. Overall, a great book, and an excellent conclusion (?) to the series. This series has actually reminded me a little of the Up series of films, as we check in with the same characters at intervals throughout their lives.
I wholeheartedly recommend this whole series of books. They've been wonderful to read.
I forgot how funny Coe can be. There were several instances where he made me laugh out loud. Overall, a great book, and an excellent conclusion (?) to the series. This series has actually reminded me a little of the Up series of films, as we check in with the same characters at intervals throughout their lives.
I wholeheartedly recommend this whole series of books. They've been wonderful to read.
Wat knap, een boek kunnen schrijven over het alledaagse leven. Een verhaal waarvan je snel denkt dat het geen boek waard is, maar oh dat is het zeker.
Dit boek schetst een haarscherp beeld van het leven in dit decennium. Persoonlijke relaties met familie, vrienden en geliefden komen voorbij. De struggle met werk - wat geeft voldoening voor jou?
De invloed van actualiteit en politiek op je gemoedstoestand en je opvattingen - en wat het met je persoonlijke relaties kan doen. Wat nou bijvoorbeeld als je binnen een relatie verschilt van mening over de Brexit? Dat kan best een dingetje zijn.
Ook wordt het rascisme en de aversie tegen politieke correctheid die je verder alleen in keukens of pubs hoort goed weergegeven. De broedende onvrede maakt verkiezingsuitslagen zoals Trump en de Brexit begrijpelijk, dat mensen vanuit hun onderbuikgevoel gaan stemmen.
De schrijfstijl was erg prettig. De personages zijn ook aangenaam gewoon. Nadeel: als ik enkele dagen niet las in dit boek, was ik kwijt wie wie was en wat er ook alweer met dat personage was.
Dit boek is zeker los te lezen van de eerdere delen van de serie, maar voor het bovenstaande probleem is ze allemaal lezen misschien beter :)
Al met al een goed boek over de actualiteit. Echt zo'n boek wat je ook goed over enkele/velen jaren kunt lezen om het leven, de opvattingen en de ontwikkelingen van nu goed te begrijpen.
Dit boek schetst een haarscherp beeld van het leven in dit decennium. Persoonlijke relaties met familie, vrienden en geliefden komen voorbij. De struggle met werk - wat geeft voldoening voor jou?
De invloed van actualiteit en politiek op je gemoedstoestand en je opvattingen - en wat het met je persoonlijke relaties kan doen. Wat nou bijvoorbeeld als je binnen een relatie verschilt van mening over de Brexit? Dat kan best een dingetje zijn.
Ook wordt het rascisme en de aversie tegen politieke correctheid die je verder alleen in keukens of pubs hoort goed weergegeven. De broedende onvrede maakt verkiezingsuitslagen zoals Trump en de Brexit begrijpelijk, dat mensen vanuit hun onderbuikgevoel gaan stemmen.
De schrijfstijl was erg prettig. De personages zijn ook aangenaam gewoon. Nadeel: als ik enkele dagen niet las in dit boek, was ik kwijt wie wie was en wat er ook alweer met dat personage was.
Dit boek is zeker los te lezen van de eerdere delen van de serie, maar voor het bovenstaande probleem is ze allemaal lezen misschien beter :)
Al met al een goed boek over de actualiteit. Echt zo'n boek wat je ook goed over enkele/velen jaren kunt lezen om het leven, de opvattingen en de ontwikkelingen van nu goed te begrijpen.
I read that Jonathan Coe had not planned to write a third book in the Rotter’s Club series but did so by popular demand. It does feel like an add-on.
Maybe, I’d just had enough having read all 3 in quick succession. I felt tired of the subject matter.
In terms of the character’s development I found it repetitive, going back over old ground. Significant characters from the Closed Circle barely got a mention. Coincidences were stretched a little too far this time.
On the politics, this one was pretty much one-sided, which seemed quite lazy. An opportunity missed.
Towards the end there was a lot of rhetoric & I felt manipulated into a particular point of view.
The ending itself was too pat for me.
I don’t get the whole Old/Merrie England thing. It doesn’t feel relevant to my life at all & would be hard pushed to define it other than as a nostalgia for some mythical bygone era - probably around the time of King Arthur.
On the plus side I enjoyed the relationship between Benjamin & Lois. Was pleased Claire got her happy ending. Her reference to Philip Larkin on an average lifespan was sobering.
Maybe, I’d just had enough having read all 3 in quick succession. I felt tired of the subject matter.
In terms of the character’s development I found it repetitive, going back over old ground. Significant characters from the Closed Circle barely got a mention. Coincidences were stretched a little too far this time.
On the politics, this one was pretty much one-sided, which seemed quite lazy. An opportunity missed.
Towards the end there was a lot of rhetoric & I felt manipulated into a particular point of view.
The ending itself was too pat for me.
I don’t get the whole Old/Merrie England thing. It doesn’t feel relevant to my life at all & would be hard pushed to define it other than as a nostalgia for some mythical bygone era - probably around the time of King Arthur.
On the plus side I enjoyed the relationship between Benjamin & Lois. Was pleased Claire got her happy ending. Her reference to Philip Larkin on an average lifespan was sobering.
funny
reflective
medium-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
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Goed om weer over Benjamin en Lois en Doug en de anderen te lezen.
State of the nation novel, ruminating on the changes of the past decade. Coe's characters chase dreams of glory and romantic love along with firm political views. Shell shocked by Brexit, his protagonists uncover the hard divisions of English society and captures the disbelief of middle class graduates that the world may not defer to them quite as much as it once did. With its conclusion that more acceptance and less dogma will make life bearable, this is an optimistic view of our future.
Honestly didn’t really like this book. I didn’t like any of the characters and overall just found it a bit depressing and demoralising - idk whether this is because I’m reading it in lockdown hoping for some escapism and all it offers is a bleak view of the political landscape of the past few years, but I only finished this book because I hate to leave things unfinished.