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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
challenging
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was great to read this on my way to a major conference and on the way back. I loved the exploration of US vs UK academic culture and found the book very funny. The storyline was a little convoluted and the style very experimental, with the book shifting between third person narration, letters, newspaper articles and finally, a play. Will be saving parts 2 and 3 for future conference travel!
First fourth was so promising. Dry English humor, an intriguing enough parallel drawn at the beginning, but then... Then it seems like the author lost his reassurance and got scared readers wouldn't find his book entertaining. So what do most people find entertaining? Sex. Yes. The rest of the book are sex jokes, sexual revolution, frustration, desire, etc. Bizzare situations and characters acting weirdly and NOT in a good way. Also gets repetitive after a while. I honestly don't remember most stuff that happened and I've read the book quite recently, it's only that I was so bored reading it. Huge disappoitment.
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am a simple creature with simple tastes, and I thought this book was funny.
Except for the moments where characters refer to typewriters, it's impossible to believe that this book was written in 1975. Anyone with any experience of academia will enjoy this satire of both students and professors. The scenes are well-written, and while the plot isn't especially plausible, it's funny and entertaining. I'll definitely be looking for Small World, which is the sequel to this book.
funny
lighthearted
fast-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:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wanted to read this because it was my late Dad's favourite book, and also because I'm about to graduate from the University of Birmingham (which Rummidge is based on) so I thought it would be fitting. Sorry Dad. You had bad taste.
Lodge does interesting and creative things with the form, and my interest picked up in the back half, but the gender, sexual and racial politics of this book are so dated that it was very difficult to get through (hence the 1 star).
Lodge does interesting and creative things with the form, and my interest picked up in the back half, but the gender, sexual and racial politics of this book are so dated that it was very difficult to get through (hence the 1 star).
Bev Hankins
I love David Lodge's witty portrayal of the academic life. British satire at its best.
I love David Lodge's witty portrayal of the academic life. British satire at its best.