Pretentious and boring
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From the first chapter to the last, this book was painful to read. The plot was ridiculous and the over-used theme of childhood innocence is neither new or exciting.
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As a student...
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Yes, this book is long-winded, overly nostalgic and pointless, and yes, I hated studying it at A level, but it is that ridiculously over-crafted tone that makes this a perfect exam text. Every character can be seen from infinite angles and argued about for eternity, the plot is unclear and unstructured, but that's exactly Frayn's point. It's almost as if he's writing to be studied, picked apart, and only then understood.
If you want a little bedtime reading, this is perfect - it will send you to sleep. If you want something enjoyable or meaningful, keep well away. And if you're an A level student, stop complaining and just get on with it. Either way you'll have to sit the exam, and if you work with Frayn rather than against him, you'll find it so much easier.
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Nostalgic wallow
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I thought this was going to be a wartime novel along the lines of 'Enigma' or something like that: however I found it was basically about 6 weeks in the life of a boy in a rather dull road in a rather dull London suburb. I couldn't stand the girl Barbara and her purse - I don't know whether this was intended. By the way I'm 55 years old and didn't have to read the book for AS level.
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Only read if above the age of 106.
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like i said u hav to be really old to relate to this book and the writing style. i can see where it is coming from but i still found it the most boring read in ages. im biased however seeing as i hav to read it for my A-levels. XD
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A WONDERFUL EVOCATION OF CHILDHOOD
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This beautifully written book evokes the hopes, fears, misunderstandings and adventures of childhood more vivedly than any other book I have read - the story is cleverly handled keeping us guessing until the end and an air of barely suppressed sexuality, violence and suspicion of strangers permeates the air - along with the smell of privet!
Mick Drake author of the comic novel All`s Well at Wellwithoute
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