Scan barcode
A review by fletches
England by Julian Barnes
3.0
England, England is the 3 act story of the life and times of a cynical woman named Martha. Roughly. It is also the story of the greatest business triumph of the capitalist king, Sir Jack; occasionally the story of a variety of side cast, and arguably the story of pop culture, using a whole country as a rather scary look into the idea of how we value a genuine piece versus a recreation. Most importantly, this is the story of England, as seen through the eyes of one woman, satirized to the extreme.
England, England is funny, to be sure. As long as you know what you're headed into. There are brilliant bits to the writing, particularly in the first two acts. The characterization, especially of Martha, is masterfully done and the book will have you thinking on identity, memory and cynicism long after Martha leaves your immediate purview. Taken lightly, it's probably more humorous than I found it; taken as a piece of analysis on modern culture, parts of it were horribly, horribly depressing. Horribly.
As far as British tongue in cheek goes, it goes on quite well. It's a clever novel that Martha would probably tear apart in her way. It's probably not appropriate for some light beach reading but I found it a great conversation starter, opinion piece and thought provoking. Particularly if you travel, it's worth reading. And thinking about.
England, England is funny, to be sure. As long as you know what you're headed into. There are brilliant bits to the writing, particularly in the first two acts. The characterization, especially of Martha, is masterfully done and the book will have you thinking on identity, memory and cynicism long after Martha leaves your immediate purview. Taken lightly, it's probably more humorous than I found it; taken as a piece of analysis on modern culture, parts of it were horribly, horribly depressing. Horribly.
As far as British tongue in cheek goes, it goes on quite well. It's a clever novel that Martha would probably tear apart in her way. It's probably not appropriate for some light beach reading but I found it a great conversation starter, opinion piece and thought provoking. Particularly if you travel, it's worth reading. And thinking about.