I first came across Jonathan Coe in 2005 when his novel, The Rotters’ Club, was serialized on the BBC. Having enjoyed the television adaptation so much, I turned to his novels of which I have now read six.
The Dwarves of Death (1990)
Although this is the earliest of Coe’s novels that I have read, fortunately it was not the first as I may not have progressed to the others. It is a humorous murder mystery which, although entertaining, is modest fare in comparison with his later work.
What A Carve Up (1994)
A funny and clever satire on Thatcher’s Britain of the 1980s. Winner of the 1995 John Llewellyn Rhys Prize.
The House Of Sleep (1997)
This is in essence a comic novel, two of the set-pieces being exceptionally funny, but it is also deeply moving. A clever prize-winning novel. My favourite Jonathan Coe book.
The Rotters’ Club (2001)
A funny, satirical, yet compassionate story of intelligent teenagers growing up in 1970s Birmingham.
The Closed Circle (2004)
The same characters as in The Rotters’ Club but twenty years older. Perhaps less amusing but more cynical than its predecessor. The teenage innocence has evaporated.
The Rain Before It Falls (2007)
A short novel in which melancholy replaces Coe’s customary humour. A beautifully written book.
Click on titles for Amazon product links.
Leave a Reply