I've enjoyed Jonathan Coe's comic novels for two decades, but white this was perfectly readable, it is not one of my favorites. Coe revisits multiple generations of a Birmingham family at crucial moments in postwar British history: V-E Day, Queen Elizabeth's coronation, the 1966 World Cup, Prince Charles' investiture, Charles & Diana's royal wedding, Diana's funeral, the Covid lockdowns.

Instead of the clever wit and irony that leavened his previous State-of-the-Nation novels like <i>The Rotters' Club</i>, Coe's satirical vision here is motivated here by anger and preachiness, and his sociological observations felt obvious and on-the-nose. I share Coe's utter antipathy for Boris Johnson's mendacious clownishness, and horrified disbelief about the self-destructiveness of Brexit, but these elements didn't add up to an emotionally satisfying novel.

Thanks to Europa Editions and Netgalley for an advance copy, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

An interesting narrative that attempts to answer a character’s question - posed in 2020 - basically, what happened to Britain? What got Britain to the mess of Brexit and Boris? Using specific real life events - VE Day, World Cups, Diana’s marriage, Diana’s death, Welsh independence struggles, and against the backdrop of one family through 75 years, Coe uses his considerable writerly skill to search for answers. The narrative bogs down in faithful recitations of key political speeches and other jarring stylistic devices, but generally it’s an engaging and illuminating story well told. Thank you to Europa editions and NetGalley for the ARC (although depending where you buy your books it was also published this past fall and readily available now)

This was a breezy and interesting title that would especially appeal to history fans and anglophiles. As someone not familiar with many of the events described in the novel, I really enjoyed the “ground level” perspective. Funny and thought-provoking!

I was completely drawn in to Bournville from the opening pages ,the Covid pandemic creeping in ,the characters are so real reacting the same way we all did.This story goes back in time sharing with us their history aa true saga so well written.#netgalley #europa

As a history lesson, it was interesting, but the characters really didn't fit into the narrative somehow. It was as though they only appeared as an excuse to desctibe what was happening around them at the time. The characters didn't really reflect so we couldn't see how they felt about what was happening, nor did they really seem to have any agency about it. So unfortunately, although I like history, I'm afraid I found the story pretty dull...

This. Was. Not. What. I. Expected.

🙄

As I got deeper into this history lesson, I could see a GIF or someone in my mind’s eye frantically dumping out bedroom drawers into an empty suitcase. Over. And. Over. Again. That’s what it was like. No discerning. Just an info dump. Could it have appealed to me if it were pared down? Perhaps.

I persevered through the weird inclusion of Covid, the blaring disconnect of ideas/chapters, his swearing and his political rants, but the pages of reiterated addresses from history were the last straw.

I must have skimmed over the “tender and wickedly funny” parts.

I hope this book finds someone who can appreciate it for what it is. Sadly, that person is not me.

I was gifted this book by Europa Editions and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Once again Jonathan Coe does not disappoint. Bournville is moving involving and full of insight into the British character as well as the particular characters in this novel. In addition to many moving moments the novel is full of humor. The chapter about the EU and chocolate is a great bit of satire, and the almost appearance of Boris is the cherry on the top.
I can only urge everyone to read this book.