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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
Witty and bold narrative of the current political/social discourse
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Booker Longlist 2025
An interesting swerve between what this book sets up and where it goes. Some interesting social and political commentary about how people tailor themselves and their stories to gain the most for themselves (be it clout, money, sympathy, a more interesting story, etc.) without a strong regard for the truth. I find it very interesting that the author even does this by blurbing the book as a murder mystery which is surely more marketable than what the book actually is about.
An interesting swerve between what this book sets up and where it goes. Some interesting social and political commentary
On the first section (the article):
Similar to the stunning Assembly, this book offered a sharp, scathing analysis of current British society, which at times felt brutally realist (recognizing exactly the type of anti-woke columnist, and white middle class young adults experimenting in environmental movements and commune-living…).
On the second life : inside the pseudo-intellectual discussions of an right-leaning upper middle class friend group (versing into racism, classim and eugenics), and the politics of the Gold series adaptation.
(That debate on data being an objective measure without agenda!)
The last Lenny interview was simply stunning.
NB offers a sharp critique of modern Britain, targeting political, financial, and social structures. Through shifting perspectives and overlapping narratives, she shows how stories—and truth itself—are constantly being reshaped to serve different purposes.
Similar to the stunning Assembly, this book offered a sharp, scathing analysis of current British society, which at times felt brutally realist (recognizing exactly the type of anti-woke columnist, and white middle class young adults experimenting in environmental movements and commune-living…).
On the second life : inside the pseudo-intellectual discussions of an right-leaning upper middle class friend group (versing into racism, classim and eugenics), and the politics of the Gold series adaptation.
(That debate on data being an objective measure without agenda!)
The last Lenny interview was simply stunning.
NB offers a sharp critique of modern Britain, targeting political, financial, and social structures. Through shifting perspectives and overlapping narratives, she shows how stories—and truth itself—are constantly being reshaped to serve different purposes.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
I read Universality as part of this year’s Booker Prize longlist, but the book had actually intrigued me for a while; I’d heard a YouTuber speak very highly of it a few months back.
Overall, it was a fairly average read for me. The first story (written as a newspaper article about a stolen gold bar) stood out. It seems simple at first glance, but gradually reveals deeper layers of meaning. That kind of narrative structure appears throughout most of the collection.
She offers a sharp critique of modern Britain, targeting political, financial, and social structures. Through shifting perspectives and overlapping narratives, she shows how stories—and truth itself—are constantly being reshaped to serve different purposes.
It’s clever and accessible, but I didn’t connect with every story. A solid 3.75/5.
reflective
fast-paced
dark
fast-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
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes