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Middle England

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Middle England

By: Jonathan Coe
Narrated by: Rory Kinnear
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

Costa Best Novel Award 2019 Winner.

It was tempting to think, at times like this, that some bizarre hysteria had gripped the British people.
Beginning eight years ago on the outskirts of Birmingham, where car factories have been replaced by Poundland, and London, where frenzied riots give way to Olympic fever, Middle England follows a brilliantly vivid cast of characters through a time of immense change.

There are newlyweds Ian and Sophie, who disagree about the future of the country and, possibly, the future of their relationship; Doug, the political commentator who writes impassioned columns about austerity from his Chelsea townhouse, and his radical teenage daughter who will stop at nothing in her quest for social justice; Benjamin Trotter, who embarks on an apparently doomed new career in middle age, and his father, Colin, whose last wish is to vote in the European referendum. And within all these lives is the story of modern England: a story of nostalgia and delusion, of bewilderment and barely suppressed rage.

Middle England is read by Rory Kinnear.

Following in the footsteps of The Rotters' Club and The Closed Circle, Jonathan Coe's new novel is the novel for our strange new times.

©2018 Jonathan Coe (P)2018 Penguin Books Ltd City Life Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Political Small Town & Rural Urban England Funny Heartfelt Inspiring Thought-Provoking Witty Tear-jerking

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Critic reviews

"Coe is among the handful of novelists who can tell us something about the temper of our times." (The Observer)

"Probably the best English novelist of his generation." (Nick Hornby)

"You can't stop reading....I was haunted for days." (The Independent on Number 11)
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Studded with passages that in turn could make you laugh and cry, to feel both shame and hope. This book bristles with great humanity. Loved it.

Close to perfect

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I loved this book. It reflects the complexity and the divisive nature of the Brexit debate. It mirrors the angst and sadness of families torn apart by fundamental views and beliefs which have been thrown into the spotlight in recent years.

Rory Kinnear's narration was superb. I couldn't stop listening to him and, as a result, I was permanently plugged in to my IPOD much to the annoyance of those around me.

BRILLIANT

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A perceptive portrait of England's recent socio-political history, told through the lives of Midlands families. Coe interweaves their stories with pivotal events of the time, all too familiar to one who also lived through them. Rory Kinnear narrates superbly.

Another gem from Coe, excellently narrated.

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The third book of this epic trilogy, so enjoyable. I had got used to Nicholas Burns's excellent performance in the first two books, so took some time to get used to Rory Kinnear, but grew to appreciate his delivery, which somehow showed more involvement and was equally enthralling in a different way. For me, brought up in Birmingham and having attended 'King Williams' at exactly the time portrayed, this is an affecting story, dredging up images that were seemed to be lost. But there is so much more, not least about the divided society that Britain has become, so recognisable and concerning. A really good listen, highly recommended.

Excellent

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Unmistakable style, largely familiar characters wandering through history and being shaped by it. Beautifully read, a must for fans of the Rotters!

Vintage Coe!

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I have loved the previous “Rotters Club “ books and this one is every bit as good. Should have got Colin Buchanan to narrate ! Roy Kinnear just doesn’t measure up to him.

Let down by narrator

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Coe always puts his finger on it, better, more subtly and more funnily than anyone.

What a Corker!

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I didn't know what to expect from this having not been aware of the book's content nor Coe's previous works. The characters are beautifully observed. What I hadn't expected was just how funny it was. Best book I've listened to this year. Rory Kinnear's narration was excellent and really brought the characters to life. Loved it.

Beautifully written tale of present England

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At times laugh-out loud funny, and at other times tear-jerkingly sad. Perfect narration of a very enjoyable and thought-provoking book. Highly recommended.

An excellent book, superbly read.

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This is a wonderful (and timely) review of the Brexit debacle while also bringing the Trotter saga right up to date. I loved, laughef and cringed at the story in equal measure (sometimes simultaneously). Rory's narration and accents were perfect and made this an effortless listen.

Adieu to olde England indeed

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