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thebobsphere's review
4.0
Jonathan Coe set a high standard with What a Carve Up! so I wasn’t so sure that my reread of House of Sleep would live up to that book. The fact that I forgot most of it is a telltale sign. There was no need to worry. If anything The House of Sleep is equally good.
Jonathan Coe is an eclectic author. Sure he does have some themes that are commonplace : politics, love’s power, music and a couple of disturbing moments. However, he is clever enough to disguise them with an original plot.
Sarah is narcoleptic. To make matters worse she cannot distinguish between her dreams and reality, which land her in uncomfortable situations. Terry is a movie fanatic insomniac. These two characters are linked by Robert, who is a friend of Terry’s and has an obsessive (but not creepy) crush on Sarah. Those are the odd numbered chapters.
The even numbered chapters take place twelve years later and Terry has been noticed by Dr. Gregory Dudden who wants to perform experiments on him in his sleep clinic. Past meets present and all of Sarah’s and Terry’s actions are now suffering the repercussions of their childhood actions.
The House of Sleep is a multi layered novel. As us readers continue to discover Sarah, Robert and Terry’s antics, the novel becomes richer. It is an unpredictable book as well, with constant plot twists. As always, Coe is clever but remains accessible. The House of Sleep is an easy read but does need a couple of moments to digest the surprises which occur. That’s not mentioning the madcap ending!
The novel is a little bit of a curio. It is definitely not Coe’s most political novel, aside from a few jabs at the British healthcare system. It’s not grisly either. However it is Coe’s overt statement about love and how it can unite and destroy. In one case even change a person. Which goes to show what a versatile author Coe is. The next book is a heavily political one so let’s how that goes.
Jonathan Coe is an eclectic author. Sure he does have some themes that are commonplace : politics, love’s power, music and a couple of disturbing moments. However, he is clever enough to disguise them with an original plot.
Sarah is narcoleptic. To make matters worse she cannot distinguish between her dreams and reality, which land her in uncomfortable situations. Terry is a movie fanatic insomniac. These two characters are linked by Robert, who is a friend of Terry’s and has an obsessive (but not creepy) crush on Sarah. Those are the odd numbered chapters.
The even numbered chapters take place twelve years later and Terry has been noticed by Dr. Gregory Dudden who wants to perform experiments on him in his sleep clinic. Past meets present and all of Sarah’s and Terry’s actions are now suffering the repercussions of their childhood actions.
The House of Sleep is a multi layered novel. As us readers continue to discover Sarah, Robert and Terry’s antics, the novel becomes richer. It is an unpredictable book as well, with constant plot twists. As always, Coe is clever but remains accessible. The House of Sleep is an easy read but does need a couple of moments to digest the surprises which occur. That’s not mentioning the madcap ending!
The novel is a little bit of a curio. It is definitely not Coe’s most political novel, aside from a few jabs at the British healthcare system. It’s not grisly either. However it is Coe’s overt statement about love and how it can unite and destroy. In one case even change a person. Which goes to show what a versatile author Coe is. The next book is a heavily political one so let’s how that goes.
coneyboro's review against another edition
4.0
The lives of a small group of students, who met while sharing accommodation in a seaside house, are intertwined through a series of coincidences. A story of love and obsession, tender at times with shifting time frames and focus of attention. An interesting use of the stages of sleep as headings for the four parts, with overlapping sentences. Even though, for some characters, there was hope for a happy future, I was left feeling rather sad, but will certainly seek out more stories by this author.
talentedmisfit's review
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
00sofija000's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
elena_stella_rose's review against another edition
3.0
Starts off well but soon becomes reliant on contrived coincidences.
lavoiture's review against another edition
1.0
DO NOT READ this book! It is awful and a total waste of time. I will even ruin the ending so you won't read it: The female doctor is actually the love interest of the main character, who had a sex change because he thought his girlfriend was a lesbian and wanted a movie. LAME!
lernstreads's review against another edition
4.0
The time hop between chapters took a little to get used to but was a great story telling aspect once I did.
sophiedavenport's review against another edition
3.0
Odd but very funny. I don't think this book has necessarily aged well but it was certainly unique.
virgi4's review against another edition
4.0
Piacevole scrittura e piacevole sorpresa.
Temi particolari, non comunissimi, che attirano. Che lasciano immaginare.
Qualche forzatura che sminuisce un po', anche se non mi ha irritato.
Temi particolari, non comunissimi, che attirano. Che lasciano immaginare.
Qualche forzatura che sminuisce un po', anche se non mi ha irritato.