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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
It would be fairest to describe Middle England as a decent read; the primary characters feel fleshed out and the prose trips along nicely, but it lands its political messages rather heavy-handedly and some secondary characters are clearly plot devices.
As someone who was only vaguely aware of some of the goings-on during the period it covers (I remember the Gordon Brown 'bigoted woman' moment but not some of the early coalition stuff), it was a welcome refresher on the political history that led up to Brexit, but it felt like Coe was jamming a few too many themes into the same story for it to feel totally immersive. Other than this, though, the writing was strong and I would certainly consider reading more by the author.
As someone who was only vaguely aware of some of the goings-on during the period it covers (I remember the Gordon Brown 'bigoted woman' moment but not some of the early coalition stuff), it was a welcome refresher on the political history that led up to Brexit, but it felt like Coe was jamming a few too many themes into the same story for it to feel totally immersive. Other than this, though, the writing was strong and I would certainly consider reading more by the author.
Good to catch up with old friends again
This is the third book in The Rotter's Club series, and it felt like a comfortable read, being able to hear what old friends are now up to. If you liked the other two books in the series then I would expect you to like this final book (?), too.
This is the third book in The Rotter's Club series, and it felt like a comfortable read, being able to hear what old friends are now up to. If you liked the other two books in the series then I would expect you to like this final book (?), too.
This is the second Coe book I've read and it's the second to get two stars - for "it's OK" although it may sit halfway to three stars "I liked it"... There is clearly something about Coe's writing that just doesn't click for me; perhaps it is just too self-important.
Anyway, whilst this novel has lots to commend it, it speaks of an England (and to a lesser extent Britain) that I don't wholly recognise (although I now encounter more than I have done historically). Lauded as a "Brexit Novel", it is more a novel reflecting the lives and experiences of the "metropolitan elites" (whichever way they *actually* voted) than a reflection of the country: for me, it is too narrow a strata of society to allow the novel to truly reflect Britain of the 2010s.
Anyway, whilst this novel has lots to commend it, it speaks of an England (and to a lesser extent Britain) that I don't wholly recognise (although I now encounter more than I have done historically). Lauded as a "Brexit Novel", it is more a novel reflecting the lives and experiences of the "metropolitan elites" (whichever way they *actually* voted) than a reflection of the country: for me, it is too narrow a strata of society to allow the novel to truly reflect Britain of the 2010s.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
I enjoyed this a lot at the beginning, and I noticed significant parallels to On Beauty by Zadie Smith with the family branches, different political attitudes, and especially the teen daughter thinking just a bit too highly of herself within university politics. However, just like with Smith’s novel, my enthusiasm started to wane as the novel continued, and I wasn’t so interested as I reached the end, which was a bit disappointing.
I think I like quiet, character-driven novels, but there’s some limit when I start to desire more drama.
I think I like quiet, character-driven novels, but there’s some limit when I start to desire more drama.
Better than The Closed Circle, not quite as good as The Rotters Club (same characters appear throughout with some additions and subtractions). Makes an interesting complement to Ali Smith’s Seasonal quartet (in terms of modern brexit novels) and to an extent to Michael Apted’s Up series of documentaries (in terms of bearing witness to the aging of a particular generation).
Really, really enjoyed this contemporary novel based around the (political) changes that have occurred/are occurring in Britain over the last decade. I immediately warmed to the characters (without having read the first two books) because of how real they felt. Simply couldn’t put it down!
Explica molt bé el brexit, i la situació política i social d’aquests últims anys, a europa en general, i especialment a gran bretanya. Personatges molt ben curats. Fàcil de llegir, a vegades incòmode i opressiu, però potser cal q ho sigui.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes