This is the eighth and most recent novel that Sebastian Faulks has had published and differs from his normal style as it is the first one set totally in the present day. It is therefore impossible I feel to praise or criticise in comparison to his other novels. It stands alone as a contemporary novel from this diverse author of literary fiction and is a very interesting study on modern day life. Themes we have all been affected by in recent years terrorism, banking and greed.
Set in London,over a period of just the seven days in the week before Christmas, following the lives of seven protagonists. What a motley collection of characters they are a hedge fund manager, a Polish professional footballer, a young lawyer, a student, a journalist book-reviewer, a schoolboy and a Tube train driver. The latter whose Circle Line train joins these characters lives together. The novel is a complex study of modern urban life and the reader is able to see the effects of society on these characters long before they can.
In the end though they are all forced to accept the reality of the world we live in.
A Week In December is both a humorous and frighteningly realistic portrayal of the modern day world.
Sebastian Faulks CBE (born 20 April 1953) is a British journalist and novelist.
There is a very interesting article on A Week In December to be found on the authors official website here
Links to other posts I have written about Sebastian Faulks and his novels
LindyLouMac's Book Reviews: Sebastian Faulks
LindyLouMac's Book Reviews: Engleby by Sebastian Faulks
LindyLouMac's Book Reviews: Human Traces by Sebastian Faulks
LindyLouMac's Book Reviews: Devil May Care by Sebastian Faulks
Information for this post is with thanks to the following websites.
Thanks for this review. But, Since I have never read any of his books, should I read a different one as my first book from this author?
ReplyDeleteThat is a motley collection of characters, an that's why it sounds so intriguing. Thanks for the review :D
ReplyDeleteI loved loved Birdsong but I couldn't get through Human Traces which put me off. I still have human traces on my shelf as I cant bear to get rid of it
ReplyDeleteBookquoter@ I think Charlotte Gray was my favourite of his and might be a good one to start with. Maybe take a look at my other reviews if you get a chance to do so.
ReplyDeleteRicki@ It certainly is a motley collection and you are right that does make it intriguing, how are they all going to fit together!
Jessica@ It took me a long time to get into Human Traces but I was glad I did so in the end. Maybe in a different time and place you will try again, the fact you have not parted with your copy suggests you may be tempted.