You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
BOOK # 3: UNIVERSALITY, NATASHA BROWN, LONGLISTED FOR #BOOKERPRIZE2025
A book that starts off with a burglary moves on to a banker plagued with a paranoia despite being a capitalist, activists with utopian ambitions, and a mix of columnists, and journalists, some trying to make a niche for themselves and others who are well known.
Universality is a cerebral exploration of inequality, the economic crisis in the UK, the use and misuse of language, identity, and much more. Each character embodies a particular problem, serving as a mirror to different aspects of society.
The book is divided into five parts and is narrated in a highly fragmented style.
While the concept is undeniably brilliant, I found the reading experience challenging. I even reread it, but it still didn’t click. Perhaps it’s too cerebral for my taste, or maybe there are simply too many characters for such a short book.
A book that starts off with a burglary moves on to a banker plagued with a paranoia despite being a capitalist, activists with utopian ambitions, and a mix of columnists, and journalists, some trying to make a niche for themselves and others who are well known.
Universality is a cerebral exploration of inequality, the economic crisis in the UK, the use and misuse of language, identity, and much more. Each character embodies a particular problem, serving as a mirror to different aspects of society.
The book is divided into five parts and is narrated in a highly fragmented style.
While the concept is undeniably brilliant, I found the reading experience challenging. I even reread it, but it still didn’t click. Perhaps it’s too cerebral for my taste, or maybe there are simply too many characters for such a short book.
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
I had to sit with this one for a while so I could figure out what I had just read.
All is not as it seems here and themes of truth-telling, perception, manipulation, and victimology abound. Also lots about class and the power of language.
But why make it so difficult and somewhat pretentious?
Booker Prize longlist, 2025.
All is not as it seems here and themes of truth-telling, perception, manipulation, and victimology abound. Also lots about class and the power of language.
But why make it so difficult and somewhat pretentious?
Booker Prize longlist, 2025.
Loveable characters:
No
If you want to read a book about the absolute worst people on both sides of “woke” politics then read this. Outside of the author’s goals, every single person was irredeemably grating.
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
slow-paced
Universality by Natasha Brown
☑️ #gifted for review by @knopfca and @penguinrandomca
It’s a little meh from me, tbh. I saw some rave reviews from book friends and went into this one with high expectations but despite there being some interesting ideas in play about truth, journalistic integrity, the fall of classic media, greed and capitalism, and the status of political correctness and its backlash in Britain (also seen here) all stuffed into 150ish pages, I just wasn’t that engaged.
The characters are all intensely unlikeable which I don’t mind at all, but I also didn’t really feel that compelled by them or any of their actions. Not a whole lot happens in this book beyond the article describing the incident and then talk of its virality and fallout so you’re left to deduce what must be happening behind the scenes. Which is interesting, but ultimately a little deflating.
I think there are big ideas here and packed into such a short quick read, definitely worth reading in case you end up loving it like so many others have. I can see why this is on the #bookerprize list.
Having worked for a newspaper and as a freelance journalist maybe it hit just a little too depressingly bleak & close to home for me.
☑️ #gifted for review by @knopfca and @penguinrandomca
It’s a little meh from me, tbh. I saw some rave reviews from book friends and went into this one with high expectations but despite there being some interesting ideas in play about truth, journalistic integrity, the fall of classic media, greed and capitalism, and the status of political correctness and its backlash in Britain (also seen here) all stuffed into 150ish pages, I just wasn’t that engaged.
The characters are all intensely unlikeable which I don’t mind at all, but I also didn’t really feel that compelled by them or any of their actions. Not a whole lot happens in this book beyond the article describing the incident and then talk of its virality and fallout so you’re left to deduce what must be happening behind the scenes. Which is interesting, but ultimately a little deflating.
I think there are big ideas here and packed into such a short quick read, definitely worth reading in case you end up loving it like so many others have. I can see why this is on the #bookerprize list.
Having worked for a newspaper and as a freelance journalist maybe it hit just a little too depressingly bleak & close to home for me.