Number 11 (novel)
| Author | Jonathan Coe |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Novel |
| Publisher | Viking Press |
Publication date | 2015 |
| Pages | 350 |
| ISBN | 9780670923809 |
| OCLC | 923731419 |
Number 11 is a 2015 novel by Jonathan Coe.
Synopsis
The novel follows the life of Rachel, an Englishwoman who tutors the Sir Gilbert Gunn's son. The Gunns, who live in a mansion in Kensington, decide to build an 11-story basement, while others survive off food banks due to austerity measures.
Critical reception
In a review for the Financial Times, Suzi Feay described the novel as "a richly enjoyable, densely textured and thought-provoking entertainment".[1] In The Scotsman, Allan Massie wrote a good review, concluding that "one should be grateful for any novel which, like this one, is devoted to the great cause of cheering us all up, no matter how indignant the author may often be.".[2] Meanwhile, Erica Wagner of The New Statesman concluded that while the novel could be seen as preachy, it makes good points about London under austerity measures.[3]
However, Robert Epstein of The Independent deplored that the novel was "too obvious, both in its targets and in their subsequent takedown".[4] In The London Evening Standard, Andrew Neather conceded that the novel was "first-class entertainment", but he lamented that it did not live up to a proper satire.[5] Reviewing it for The Guardian, Alex Clark called it "a political novel" as well as an "interrogation of the purposes and efficacy of humour in exposing society’s ills, and a spoof on horror B-movies"[6]
References
- ↑ Feay, Suzi (November 13, 2015). "‘Number 11’, by Jonathan Coe". Financial Times. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
- ↑ Massie, Allan (November 28, 2015). "Book review: Number 11 by Jonathan Coe". The Scotsman. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
- ↑ Wagner, Erica (November 30, 2015). "Jonathan Coe's Number 11 is a bitingly dark portrait of society". The New Statesman. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
- ↑ Epstein, Robert (November 15, 2015). "Jonathan Coe Number 11: 'Slating the obvious' - book review". The Independent. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
- ↑ Neather, Andrew (November 12, 2015). "Number 11 by Jonathan Coe - review". London Evening Standard. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
- ↑ Clark, Alex (November 11, 2015). "Number 11 by Jonathan Coe review – a sequel to What a Carve Up!". The Guardian. Retrieved May 3, 2016.