I loved Mayflies, so I was really looking forward to Caledonian Road - and I wasn’t disappointed. There are a variety of characters, from the extremely well-off to those living in council flats and struggling to get by. This is a “State of the Nation” story, and it lays out just what that state is. From the Russian oligarchs and landed gentry, to slavery, inequality and crime. People have far too many secrets, until, that is, the media get hold of them.

Caledonian Road shows the repercussions of Covid and Brexit (none of it positive), and how those with money think they can get away with whatever they want to.

There are characters that you can really get your teeth in to, many of them rather unpleasant. The main character, a university academic called Campbell Flynn, is struggling with his life. He grew up working class in Glasgow, and has married in to minor aristocracy. He likes to think that he hasn’t lost touch with his origins - but has he?

There’s a lot going on in this novel - too much to write here - and you’re really better off reading it for yourself! It’s a chunk of a book, but it sped by. I loved it.

https://www.threads.net/@clares_little_book_obsession/post/C_-b1wMgtI9/?xmt=AQGz0uneyAkWcUVQN6KvSrvC0YZ4hi08x7hsCjL9BmCpwA

This book takes as its central themes political corruption and unease, and unfurls into a romp of a narrative that feels part political thriller and a deeply felt novel about class, humanity and a sense of justice. Although I occasionally felt it was too nakedly showing its colours, I also think it is a clever and enjoyable novel that has important things to discuss.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

I've previously enjoyed several Andrew O'Hagan titles but really struggled to get into this one. I picked it up again several times, due to the many favourable reviews, but it just didn't grab me.

Stunning ensemble piece about ego and fear of failure. Possibly too long and with one or two many plot lines but thats a minor observation.

I'm hovering between 3 and 4 stars for this pleased with itself state of the nation novel. The characters in Caledonian Road are almost all flawed (even Jakub is needlessly criminal), implausible and hard to like. Such a contrast to The Bee Sting which is Caledonian Road's Irish cousin. But while Paul Murray shows deep affection and empathy for his creations, Andrew O'Hagan displays only disdain. Nevertheless, I have rounded my rating up to 4 stars because Caledonian Road is such a great read. Bitchy and snobbish, certainly. But you never stop wanting to find out what is going to happen - mainly to see a variety of nasty sorts get their comeuppance! Also a master class in keeping the reader's attention despite the use of multiple narrators. A must-read of the year.

Spent the last two weeks embroiled in Caledonian Road and hats off to Andrew O Hagan he’s done it again. A totally different environment and character dynamic to the soft and melancholic men of Mayflies, Caledonian Road gets to the root of organized crime, toxic politics and middle-class men who think more of themselves than anyone else.

This was chock full of characters connected by invisible threads and convoluted paths but it came full circle in a nothing less than staggering finish. for 650 pages O’Hagan manages to sustain a depth of emotional connection rivaled only by Franzen’s family sagas.

At first, I found our protagonist Professor Flynn far too much of a guardian liberal caricature but the further we went the less like a puppet he felt and more so a fallible person we are watching fall.

O’Hagan has seamlessly blended historic headlines of the past five years, I was gut-punched each time I was reminded of recent tragedy, even more so than watching them on the news the first time around because I came to love or at least care about these characters before they became a viral clip.

A troubling and uncomfortable read I can recommend, although not a book that’ll fit easily in any handbag of mine.

I loved previous Andrew O' Hagan novels and had high hopes for this. The London setting is excellently drawn and the characters vibrant, however unfortunately the story failed to hold my interest. Beautifully written but essentially a little cold

A new Andrew O'Hagan? Yes please. 'Mayflies' was one of the best books that I have read for a long time, leaving me an emotional wreck for days after, so I came to this with high expectations. But.... a 600 page so-called 'state of the nation' novel in fact turned into a slog. I'm afraid that I just didn't connect with it at all.

The central character, art historian Campbell Flynn, is a thoroughly unlikeable chap. Now, that doesn't mean that you can't enjoy the book. There are plenty of novels with characters whom we are meant to dislike, but so much of this was carried by the character and whether we believed in him that it just didn't hold up for me. There were jarring forms of speaking, his actions were often grotesque caricatures of a 'man of a certain age'. The plot develops into the dark underbelly of London, but didn't get any more realistic. And then I lost interest.

Just not for me, I'm sorry to say. 2.5 stars which I will round up because when he writes well, he writes wonderfully.

(With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this title.)

This is a book which justifies all the superlatives - epic, state of the nation, Dickensian. Also a cracking read! Somewhat complicated but absolutely worth the effort.

Caledonian Road is a sprawling novel that tries to include a vast amount of social commentary via the vast array of characters. O'Hagan touches on elitism, knife crime, people smuggling, social media and much more. At times, the narrative is a little too 'tight' trying to manipulate events to hit all contemporary ills. The central character of Campbell and his demise is the central thread that pulls the disparate characters together and he is at once a sympathetic and a pathetic figure. Elevated to a place of privilege, Campbell's unravelling into wokeness and self-awareness is interesting but unsatisfactory.

You need to invest time into delving into this book and if you can forgive the blatant pastiches of discredited businessmen, Russian oligarchs and self righteous academics then you will certainly get caught up in this narrative.

What an epic read! Initially the size of the book had left me feeling apprehensive about whether it keep my interest piqued but I had nothing to worry about - even the many characters that were involved in the story were entertaining and enjoyable. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC.

Caledonian Road is a witty, analytical exploration of numerous things at play in contemporary England: masculinity, politics, family and and identity, to name just some of them. As someone that loved 'Mayflies', I knew Andrew O'Hagen was gifted in his characterisation but I still found myself taken aback but how much I enjoyed this one. I found Campbell Flynn to be both unlikeable in quite an obvious, superficial way, but simultaneously endearing. I particularly savoured the moments that depict him interacting with his children and his friends. At its best, there is an almost Dickensian exploration of life in the city - full character assassinations (for there are plenty of odious members of this cast) and reflections on the world. There is plenty of humour and excellent wit amongst the portrait of corruption and class inequality; there is fine art and upper class socialites and drama, but there are also softer more poignant moments.

I didn't want my reading of this novel to end - I found myself sneaking a few pages in between the more mundane aspects of my life and had numerous close calls where I almost dropped my kindle (in bath, in train tracks, on to the hob, etc.) because I was so engrossed.

Loved it - will be buying my own physical copy to thrust into the hands of my unassuming friends, and wow what a treat they're in for.

London is changing, the old guard of family wealth is being usurped by new foreign wealth. Traditional roles are being sidelined and art, fashion and crime is becoming the role of youth. Meanwhile exploitation is still happening and no-one is safe. Following a group of people centred around academic and art critic Campbell Flynn, Caledonian Road explores how London has changed.
I really like O'Hagan's writing and this book is superb. The length may seem daunting but the prose skips along and it doesn't feel excessive. It may be high praise but I feel this book is like and update to the classic 19th century novels of life by Thackeray. The details are fantastic and nuanced, there's a gentle push at the woke generation and a stronger push at corrupt businessmen, the downstairs tenant is a real Dickensian character and the whole is so enjoyable that, for me, it sits at the top of the books I've read this year!

Aptly described by the publishers as " a state of the nation " novel , one of the most hotly anticipated releases of 2024 and already a bestseller, Caledonian Road is quite the epic. At over 650 pages this book covers a lot of ground from politics, class, luck, cryptocurrency, drugs, art, influence, migrants, fashion,corruption , the dark web, academia among other things, this is quite the tome.

The book opens in 2021 in post brexit London as pandemic measures begin to be wound down. There is a huge cast of characters ( a full list of characters is provided in the beginning of the book) within but our protagonist is Campbell Flynn, art historian, lecturer and writer. Over the next year his life will implode.

I am really conflicted on this one. I came close to giving up over the first 150 pages and then could not put this down for the last 200. For lovers of this author's last novel, Mayflies, this book could not be more different. Everything is exaggerated to the point of cliche. The characters felt like caricatures of certain types of people which while I am sure this was the author's intention for me as a reader it made me disinterested in pretty much every character yet I was invested, in time, in the overall concept of this book. It captures a point in time with harrowing clarity, I imagine this book will be useful to scholars of the future.

This book primarily focuses on men- their delusions, decisions, desires and deceit. The female characters are quite one dimensional which frustrated me, I think I would have enjoyed this more had several of them been more developed and played a more central role in the plot.

Saying that, the book really began to flow for me in the second half when I got used to the characters and cliches. There is some wonderful writing within and O'Hagan pulls off what I think he was trying to achieve with this novel. He shines a light on British Society and it is a dark, uncomfortable and rotten view.

I am unsure how to rate this one. Overall it was probably a 4 star read for me but I can't fully commit to that based on the first half of the book. 3.5 - 4 stars. So glad I didn't give up at the 150 page mark.

This is certainly an ambitious book with an epic cast, spanning all levels of society within London .

It begins with the Campbell Flynn a privileged well known art critic who needs to make a fast buck due to dwindling finances and a reluctance to let "standards" slip. He is intrigued by a combative student called Milo, who exists on a totally different plane of society, but still within the geographical confines of the Caledonian Road area.

Like Dicken's "Our Mutual Friend", the shiny veneer, the muck and dirt of the underbelly London are all metaphorically exposed. Modern societal change due to Russian oligarchs and alternative lifestyles are also documented through the various characters.

I found the character of Campbell Flynn unsympathetic to begin with and couldn't invest enough in him as a character. Like Dickens , the novel became too picaresque despite its observant satire and I struggled to finish this ambitious book. I persevered and did enjoy it , but it wasn't a page turner for me. However I think it will take its place as an important novel of our times.

I previously enjoyed reading Mayflies by Andrew O’Hagan,and was very pleased to get the chance to see an early edition of his latest work ‘Caledonian Road’.
It might be described on first impressions as a rather daunting novel to get into ,due in part to its sheer volume.A list of the characters at the start might appear rather epic and off putting to some.However the book rewards the reader for carrying on,regardless of any initial reservations.
The central figure of art historian Campbell Flynn interacts with Milo,a student, as an attempt almost of self validation through allowing the young man to challenge his preconceptions of the world and those around him.
Topics woven into the narrative include class structure,toxic family relationships,lifelong friendships ,racism,elitism,activism,gang culture,exploitation, celebrity,hedonism and art criticism.
A rich and sometimes complex panoply of characters flit in and out sporadically at times,providing a colorful and chaotic sense of momentum through often messed up interconnected lives.
This complex yet ultimately involving storytelling is by turns, sharp, humorous,sad,witty,heartbreaking, and hopeful.
So, don’t start this if you’re looking for an easygoing light fast paced read.
Immersion in the intersecting storylines makes for a compelling portrait of recent Britain.Well worth making the journey in my opinion.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I can't quite describe how much I utterly adored this book and all of its quirky and vibrant characters.

This book is very character driven. When I saw the extensive list of characters at the beginning of the book, I had to admit I was a little apprehensive I might not be able to keep up. However, I did. The characters are all so intrinsically linked and so well developed that I very quickly felt like I knew them and their stories.

This book follows Campbell Flynn, an art historian, writer, and university lecturer who, I'd say, lives a very well off life style. He has a circle of friends and family who are all equally well off, money wise, but their life styles all differ quite a lot.

There was a lot to uncover with the plot of the story. I was originally a little daunted by the size of the book, but it covered so much that I got why the large page count was needed. I found myself deeply immersed in this story from the beginning and didn't want it to end. I became invested in so many of the characters, disgusted by many others, and overall blown away by how well all of their stories were pieced together.

It covered so many issues, such as gang crime, the pandemic, slavery, mental health issues, and so many more.

I am so glad I got to read this early, I have not been able to put this down for the last few days, and it is definitely my most anticipated release of the year! I suggest everyone picks this up!

There’s a stubborn streak of Scotland that runs right through this book. From the title to its main protagonist, Campbell Flynn, a man who loves to take his pin and prick the pomposity of his counterparts, Flynn is a man who complicates this story with his Scottishness.

Campbell Flynn is celebrated for his intellectual bonhomie. A man from working class Glaswegian roots, he bettered himself by going to Cambridge, making a whole new set and class of friends and ultimately, marrying a Countess’s daughter.

An art historian, he made a name for himself writing a biography of Vermeer which was very well received, though not the money making exercise he might have preferred. Now he lectures at University College and pens articles for magazines, newspapers and even hosts a podcast. He is ‘the writer in vogue’. To make money he has written a truly terrible self- help book in which he has no belief at all. Why Men Weep in Cars has been written with pop psychology in mind to cater for all those men who believe sheds are the answer and self-help groups to talk about ‘men’s issues’ will recommend it as being in touch with the male zeitgeist.

Caledonian Road is that North London Road that spreads out over a mile and then some and which has a poor stretch and a rich stretch. Its diversity should be its strength as different purveyors of wealth, class and experience intermix along its path.

So you get the sense straight away that this large tome of a book is epic in scale and that’s certainly true. The cast of characters is large and many of them are especially unpleasant. It’s easy to see why some have compared this to a modern Dickensian London novel.

Andrew O’Hagan doesn’t hold back from dealing with contemporary issues. From money laundering to Russian influence; from sweatshops to slave labour, from corrupt police to corrupt politicians and from Brexit to the aristocracy, O’Hagan has something to say about them all with a hard hitting, scalpel wielding ferocity that leaves few standing unblemished.

Campbell Flynn’s bonhomie stems from the fact that he does not take himself seriously. He’s just had fun writing a piece for the Atlantic magazine on liberal guilt and why it is a conceit, which has stirred up controversy among the liberal elite.

Milo Manghasa is a former student of Flynn’s. He grew up on Caledonian Road. He had an Irish father and despite being from the poor side of the road, he has gained a Masters in Computer Science. Campbell grew up in a Glasgow council house, and Milo still lives with his father in council housing. His mother was an Ethiopian immigrant and a teacher and community activist in the area. Both men have childhood friends who are involved in ev il deeds. Both have connections to all sorts of people, nobility, human traffickers, mobsters, artists, and drug dealers. Despite the differences in their backgrounds now, Campbell Flynn sees something of himself in Milo and the pair has developed a good natured verbal sparring relationship.

Milo challenges Flynn and Flynn delights in those challenges, even when they lead to Milo diverting funds from Flynn’s account into various charitable projects.

Milo has a theory; ‘We are who we know’ and although that works both ways – Milo’s closest friends are a drug dealer who carries a weapon and his girlfriend, Gosia, who is the sister of a drug dealer and human trafficker. Campbell however, has friends who are significantly more criminal. William, his best friend, is being investigated for business-related crimes, including running sweatshops. His sister-in-law is married to a Duke whose offences could be even more loathsome.

O’Hagan makes the connections between rich and poor; between Russian oligarchs and Brexit; between police and political corruption.

O’Hagan takes massive swipes at everything that is our contemporary society. From the aforementioned corruption to the phenomenon that is algorithmically generated playlists. No target is too big or too small to come under his biting wit and sarcastic scrutiny.

On the whole, the women in this novel get off more lightly than the men. They appear more as cyphers; beautiful and clever or unpleasant and out for what they can get; but this is a book that’s more about men than women, because it is still men who run the world.

Caledonian Road is an angry book; one which looks at London and breaks open the heart of corruption in our society; watching it move from the old con tricks to the new ones. How we move from money laundering to deep-fakes and from bitcoin to old money no longer matters – very little has meaning or value any more.

Verdict: In so many ways this book is a tour de force and you should undoubtedly read it. For me, it was a little too long and though epic, it lacked a true empathetic character I could look to in order to find hope. Perhaps that is, after all, the message of this beautifully written, acerbic and astounding novel?

I think this book is really special.

For me, what O'Hagan did exceptionally well was how he portrayal his characters. He depicts characters who aren't wholly good or bad, but people who show both traits. We see reasons feeding their behaviour and even when we can't empathise, we can understand, most of the time.

The characters are trying to exist in a post covid, post brexit Britain, mainly London. I felt for characters that I didnt like and that takes pretty clever writing in my opinion. I wanted some people to get their comeuppance, but I still felt for them (mostly).

I enjoyed the novel's scope and observations on art, corruption, feminism, racism, nationalism, migration, Britain, the class system, change and so much more.

From a personal perspective, I never wholeheartedly got behind any of the characters, and at times the cerebral journey of the characters over plot slowed down my enthusiasm. But I think this novel is a modern classic in the making. I've already preordered a copy for my shelves and a gift for future me.

2.5

I truly struggled with this tome. I read it 30 pages at a time because it addled my brain if I tried to read more. I know I'm in a minority (because I've looked at other reviews and ratings) but this just wasn't for me. I thought it was trying so terribly hard to be all things to all people.

We had Campbell Flynn and his wife Elizabeth who were both academically minded and talked in long, linguistically clever sentences about art in all its forms. We got Yuri and Aleksandr Bykov, the Russians who pulled the strings thanks to all their dodgy laundered money and fingers in every illegal pie going. We had the Duke of Kendal and his wife Candy who represented the landed gentry. Then there was Mrs Krupka who wasn't keen on other immigrants coming to England, along with her son, who organised illegal immigration, drug farms and sweat shops. Finally we had Milo and his girlfriend, Gosia who were the cast as disrupters but were, in fact, simply thieves who wanted to bring down the old guard and redirect their money to "worthy causes" (ie themselves and people like them).

I got lost in who was who, who was doing what to who, what everyone was talking about and what the point was that the book was trying to make.

I'm a fan of translated novels and books about places I've never been to and their culture. This often involves a lot of googling when words or cultural references are unclear. There were lots of things in this book that I didn't understand -- the difference was that after the first hundred pages I couldn't really be bothered to find out.

Just not for me. I gave it two and a half stars because I finished it, it didn't give me too much of a headache and I enjoyed some parts of it.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Faber & Faber for the advance review copy.