Middle England (Winner of The Costa Novel Award 2019) Paperback – June 27, 2019

As a long-time ex-pat, I hesitate to pronounce on a story so fully set in an England that I hardly recognize. But that won’t stop me. I loved the “Rotters Club” characters and am so happy that their travails have ended so satisfactorily, as the England that they and I knew vanishes in the sunset.

For a terrific reading experience, have all three books in the trilogy in hand and read them one after the other. Read The Rotters' Club, The Closed Circle and then Middle England all in a row. The three together are so much stronger than anyone of the books alone.

Wonderful continuation of characters written decades ago in ROTTERS CLUB and bringing them up to date in the confusing time of Brexit. Just a first class book that I was so sorry to read the last page of. There were moments that I could swear I was reading headlines. Funny and frightening.

I wasn't familiar with Jonathan Coe but the day after the General Election I wandered into my local bookseller trying to understand what is driving this seemingly ceaseless British political self-harm. There in the bookshop I found Middle England, marketed as offering insight into Brexit. I am very pleased that I bought it. Firstly, I found Coe an excellent novelist. It's hard work to write such a charmingly effortless-seeming and fundamentally entertaining novel. I literally read the whole book in two or three sittings, which I rarely do these days. Did the book live up to its marketing as offering insight into the evolution of Britain and what made Brexit possible? I think the answer is "yes" -- to a point. Coe did a first-rate job of sketching out a British tale of life, aging, social class, and the human condition. He also did a good job laying out the motivations that doubtless are driving large sections of the UK electorate. Where he failed was to offer a compelling, intelligent, argument for Brexit that would have rounded out the baser motives his book identified. I've been unable to find such a Brexit argument anywhere. Unfortunately the author's reliance on a bit of a stick-figure Tory politician character deprived his novel of a bit of depth. I also found the ending a little too pat after three hundred solid pages of generally rich and deep authorial analysis of Britain's current state. Nonetheless, the merits of this work greatly outweigh its lesser faults. More's the pity that Coe felt he needed a happy ending to this tale of sadness. It's unlikely that life will imitate art as Brexit continues to evolve.

Wonderfully paced narrative. Couldn’t put it down; I disrupted work to finish it. Soothed this expat’s heart; now I more fully understand the roots of Brexit. Loved the characters who are struggling with what life throws at them. Off to buy the previous two. Thanks so much, Mr Coe.

No idea what this book is like. got it for my sister at her request.

I had to cringe and stop reading a number of time because this is the world we're living in. I never read Coe before. Now I want to go to his other books.

I have read, and loved, all of Coe's previous novels and Middle England is no exception. However, I almost didn't read it because I am so depressed by the Brexit news everyday I just couldn't face a 'Brexit novel'! I am so glad I did though.Middle England forms a trilogy with previous books The Rotter's Club and Closed Circle. And what a trilogy it is! Middle England brings us back in touch with the same characters twenty years on, as they reach middle age. I did feel that the Brexit element was a little heavy-handed in parts of this novel (I know, I know, it's a Brexit novel but even so...) but as usual his characters were sharply drawn, sometimes cartoonish but only in a way that reflects the real-life political buffoons that have been inflicted on us, and his depictions of the ups and downs of long-term friendships and relationships had real pathos at times.Coe's writing is a pure joy to read.

Having read The Rotters' Club and The Closed Circle I was almost sorry to take leave of the characters at the end of Middle England. Well told story, very good writing. Congratulations Jonathan Coe!

Buena edición de bolsillo. Lo recomiendo.

For anyone interested in UK politics and more specifically why Britons voted to leave the EU, this will give a glimpse into the British psyche. It is also the dénouement of the trilogy which began with the Rotters' Club. In terms of the life long passion of the main character it is a bit of a let down. It is definitely recommended that the two previous novels be read in sequence before this attempting this one.

Ever wondered how the world could have come to the raging days of ignorant nationalism, stupid racism and faux sense of patriotism?Jonathan Coe explains it in this wonderful almost decade spreading novel.Enjoy.

A brilliantly-paced and very topical conclusion to The Rotters' Club trilogy. This third book is the arguably the best of the three. Benjamin is still as devastatingly indecisive as ever, Doug is at war with Brexiters and Tories (even though his romantic life reaches across the aisle, so to speak). There are brilliantly portrayed new characters (Sophie, Coriander...) where others from the previous books have disappeared (Paul, Sean..).Coe uses events such as the London Olympic Games, the 2011 riots and the Brexit referendum to offer insights into life in Britain, and what undercurrents are at work in the UK. It's not always a pretty picture and the author seems to be writing from a place of anger. Even Benjamin, that most uncommitted of characters, at one point slaps his hand on a table and shouts "F*ck Brexit".A great book and a future classic read for people wanting to understand this period in British history.