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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
funny
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:
Complicated
I didn't relate to any of the characters and none of them seemed to grow or change. Perfectly fine, solid writing, just not my cup of tea.
emotional
lighthearted
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
http://nhw.livejournal.com/805731.html[return][return]OK, the plot is pretty thin - as soon as 18-year-old Brian Jackson gets to university in October 1985, you can work out pretty rapidly that of the first two girls he meets he is going to fall in love with one, yet end up with the other. But it is told with such gusto, such humour, such toe-curling excruciating accuracy, that I actually forgot as I neared the end that I knew exactly what was going to happen.[return][return]And there are some great lines in it too. For instance:[return][return] The DJ is playing 'Tainted Love' now, and the atmosphere in the room seems to have got darker, more sexually predatory and decadent, and if it's not quite Weimar Republic Berlin, the it's at least an East Sussex Sixth-form-college production of Cabaret [return][return]Or[return][return] I walk into a university library that's almost audibly groaning with the huge weight and breadth of human knowledge, and the same two things always happen: a) I start to think about sex b) I need to go to the toilet. [return][return]But I guess what really made it for me is that Brian Jackson and I are the same age; he celebrates his nineteenth birthday in late 1985, I celebrated mine in April 1986. As jemck was writing earlier today about her feelings for Alan Bennett's 'The History Boys', that really makes it feel more like a flashback to my own life. Thank God, the details are a bit different; but I realised on the train that people were casting wary glances at the way my body was clenching in vicarious embarrassment for poor fictional Brian.[return][return]Oh yes, and it all ties in to University Challenge as well.
Brian Jackson is at once lovable and insufferable. Insightful and aggravating. I will admit, it's been a long time since I've laughed this much while reading a book. Like, can't help it, laugh out loud, tears running down my face hilarity. However, at times, his behavior and the choices he makes are so shortsighted, I was at once egging him on and putting the book down in exasperation. But that's probably what makes him so realistic. He is after all, just a 19 year old boy. (Note: I would probably have easily given the book 4 stars, but because I didn't like the ending, it lost one.)
I loved One Day, and hoped that this would be as good. Unfortunately it wasn't, and I definitely didn't feel the emotional connection that I had to the characters in One Day. However it was an easy read.
I had really high expectations for this because I absolutely loved One Day but I got disappointed. The plot was lame, the protagonist was totally oblivious of his family and friends, especially Alice and I had to force myself to finish it. 1 out of 5 stars
funny
lighthearted
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
2'5/5
It was entertaining though a bit misleading, since I thought it would mostly be about the quiz show, but it mostly focuses on the main character's life. My second problem with this book is that I think the two protagonists are, as the book would say, pompous little pricks. But, I did laugh while reading it and enjoyed it overall. It is also shaded by the fact that I adored "Us". So, overall, just an enjoyable read.
It was entertaining though a bit misleading, since I thought it would mostly be about the quiz show, but it mostly focuses on the main character's life. My second problem with this book is that I think the two protagonists are, as the book would say, pompous little pricks. But, I did laugh while reading it and enjoyed it overall. It is also shaded by the fact that I adored "Us". So, overall, just an enjoyable read.
The type of book where you spend the whole time wondering how and why the girl is actually interested in the guy, but I guess that's what makes it such a fun read. It's awkward, it's hopeful, it's cute, it's difficult; a great depiction of what it's like to be a working class guy at his first year of uni in the 80's, while still having the necessary literary/fictional elements to take you out of your own head for a sec.
Definitely more of a 3.5 (at least).
Definitely more of a 3.5 (at least).