Jonathan Coe – What a Carve Up!

Viking, 1994 | Paperback**
ISBN-13: 9780670853632
ISBN-10: 0670853631
Pages: 512
Language: English
Binding: Paperback

Overview

What a Carve Up! by Jonathan Coe is a biting political satire and a brilliantly constructed literary mystery that takes a scathing look at British society during the Thatcher era. Through dark humour, sharp commentary, and a labyrinthine narrative, Coe delivers a masterclass in postmodern fiction and socio-political critique.

The novel follows Michael Owen, a reclusive writer, as he investigates the corrupt and self-serving Winshaw family—each member representing a different sector of British society, from arms dealing and media manipulation to banking, healthcare, and agriculture. As the tale unfolds, the interconnectedness of power, greed, and destruction becomes shockingly clear.

Key Features

• A darkly comic critique of 1980s Britain and its ruling elite

• A compelling blend of political satire, mystery, and literary metafiction

• Characters modeled as archetypes of institutional corruption and capitalist excess

• Intertwines personal trauma with national disillusionment

• An essential novel for fans of social commentary, British literature, and political fiction

About the Author

Jonathan Coe is an acclaimed British author known for his satirical novels that dissect modern British life with wit and precision. His works, including The Rotters’ Club and Middle England, have earned critical acclaim for their mix of humor, heart, and political relevance.

Why Read This Book?

• You enjoy intelligent, layered narratives that challenge authority

• You’re interested in 1980s-90s British politics and culture

• You appreciate novels that balance humour with social critique

• You’re drawn to stories where everything connects cleverly in the end

Interesting Fact

The title What a Carve Up! is also the name of a 1961 British comedy-horror film, which plays a thematic role in the novel and serves as a structural motif, emphasizing how the real horrors lie within the greed of the ruling classes.

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