I thought this was a great book - funny and touching at the same time.

I thought this was a marvellous book. It explores all the strata of society in England in the 1970s from the viewpoint of someone slightly outside it - English but looking Asian. It's funny but sad. Passing on to the next in the book group.

Book arrived this morning - will read it as soon as I finish my current book.

I tried really hard to like this book, but failed, in much the same way as I tried really hard to like 'My beautiful laundrette' and failed! I read about half the book in an effort to give it a fair chance, but the deadline for finishing it approaching so I am going to pass it on to Anfield in the hope that she enjoys it more than I did.

Looked promising one chapter in, but sadly time is up and I have missed the boat. Maybe another time!

didn't get to read this due hold up on PBG -maybe another time

Afraid this didn't get to me in time to read

I enjoyed this book. The narrator was a likeable person and you cared about what happened to him. A good exploration of someone growing up as a partial outsider and not really knowing where he belonged.

While I can see this is a "good" book and does a good job of exploring all the groups & influences around the main character, who never quite fits in or knows his place, I just didn't warm to him, or any of the other characters. I wasn't bothered by what happened to him, and I got bored. I wanted to read it having heard the author talk about his father on the radio, but it didn't live up to my expectations after that.


Maybe it was me and at another time I'd have got on with it better, or maybe it's just one of those books you get or you don't!