A review by escape_through_pages
Bournville by Jonathan Coe

emotional funny informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

📖 REVIEW 📖

́́𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞.'

Where were you and what were you doing when you heard the news that Princess Diana had died?

I was on the last day of a family holiday in Majorca. We had just boarded the airport transfer coach for the journey home when one of the travel reps stood at the front of the coach and announced the news. I was fifteen years old at the time, the same age as Prince William. I seem to recall that particular holiday strongly.

You remember where you were, who you were with, during key moments in history. In Bournville, Jonathan Coe takes that fact and tells the story of one family by returning to them at memorable times in Britain’s past over 75 years. It is history as experienced by ordinary people living ordinary lives; a multigenerational tale with an eye on the social and political transformations that run alongside the changes within the family. 

The setting is Bournville, an area made famous  for being home to the Cadbury chocolate factory and spans from VE Day 1945 to the onset of the pandemic in 2020. Queen Elizabeth’s coronation, the 1966 World Cup, royal marriages, the Chocolate War, Boris, Brexit and lockdown all feature.

It’s nostalgic, funny, tender, entertaining and satirical. It’s also quite unforgiving in its portrayal of the bad decisions of past and present leaders. 

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It’s so very British, and therefore familiar and comforting. Best served with a cup of English breakfast tea and a Cadbury’s fruit and nut 🍫🫖😊

Thank you @vikingbooksuk for my book

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