Jonathan Coe's satire on Thatcher's Britain hit the spot for most members Jonathan Coe's '80s-set novel was a welcome blast from from the past for most Tyneside Book Club members.
At the heart of What a Carve Up! is the hideous Winshaw family - a mostly-reprehensible entitled mob, who seem to be at the heart of much of what happens during the Thatcher years.
Members enjoyed the satire - and many thought that despite its period setting, several of the targets remained relevant today. One newspaper columnist certainly smacked of Katie Hopkins.
The unusual non-linear structure appealed to some, with events stitched together ingeniously to provide regular reveals and call-backs. The group were suitably appalled by the Winshaws - with the noble exception of the seemingly batty Aunt Tabitha.
There was though some sympathy with the characters outside the family, particularly Phoebe, Joan and Graham. The main protagonist, author Michael, was engagingly hapless too, with some enjoying his penchant for particular chocolate bars. His attempt to write a sex scene was a high point for the comedy.
This was clearly a book with a political agenda, with its views of the Thatcher era clearly spelled out. Some members did suggest it was likely to be preaching to the converted though, reinforcing readers' prejudices rather than persuading doubters. Some felt there were occasions when the book became a little too obviously polemical, beginning to tell rather than show.
The ending divided the group. Some enjoyed the farcical finale, and found the fates of the characters appealingly appropriate. Others though felt it was a let-down, featuring a rather chaotic and fantastical race to the finish.
Overall, though most found the novel to be skilfully-written and witty, and would be prepared to read more by the author.
At the heart of What a Carve Up! is the hideous Winshaw family - a mostly-reprehensible entitled mob, who seem to be at the heart of much of what happens during the Thatcher years.
Members enjoyed the satire - and many thought that despite its period setting, several of the targets remained relevant today. One newspaper columnist certainly smacked of Katie Hopkins.
The unusual non-linear structure appealed to some, with events stitched together ingeniously to provide regular reveals and call-backs. The group were suitably appalled by the Winshaws - with the noble exception of the seemingly batty Aunt Tabitha.
There was though some sympathy with the characters outside the family, particularly Phoebe, Joan and Graham. The main protagonist, author Michael, was engagingly hapless too, with some enjoying his penchant for particular chocolate bars. His attempt to write a sex scene was a high point for the comedy.
This was clearly a book with a political agenda, with its views of the Thatcher era clearly spelled out. Some members did suggest it was likely to be preaching to the converted though, reinforcing readers' prejudices rather than persuading doubters. Some felt there were occasions when the book became a little too obviously polemical, beginning to tell rather than show.
The ending divided the group. Some enjoyed the farcical finale, and found the fates of the characters appealingly appropriate. Others though felt it was a let-down, featuring a rather chaotic and fantastical race to the finish.
Overall, though most found the novel to be skilfully-written and witty, and would be prepared to read more by the author.
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