Swings and Roundabouts

What goes around comes around. An enjoyable one sitting read. Excellent narration. Just the ticket for a wet and windy day.

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Brilliant comic novel hiding profound insights.

What made the experience of listening to Expo 58 the most enjoyable?

Jonathan Coe's best novel since What A Carve Up! - richly funny on the surface but ultimately about a lot more than the nostalgic spy capers that twist around Thomas, the protagonist - very entertaining and well written as they are. I found the novel profoundly moving and by its conclusion felt that it had told me a great deal about the way our entire lives can sometimes be uprooted or confirmed by the tiniest of decisions or temporary states of mind.
On the surface this is brilliant comic novel with a warm, nostalgic glow. The characters are elegantly drawn and at first Coe gives the impression we are in a classic 1950s Ealing comedy-thriller. Jokes, puns and observations are laugh out old funny and we are led down a path we believe will remain similarly light for the duration of the novel.
It is in the final chapters that Coe confirms that he is one of the greatest novelists of today. Whilst he maintains the humour and light touch, deeper revelations and truths emerge and hard hitting emotional echoes push the novel to an unexpectedly profound conclusion. Memories of earlier events take a terribly poignant and moving turn as the final pages progress.
By the end, I felt as though I had learned a great deal about Britain since 1958, but even more about the way that even the most important parts of our lives and those connected to us hang from the flimsiest of threads. Astounding stuff.
Whilst not as ambitious or angry as What A Carve Up!, this is a richly satisfying novel, equally insightful and entertaining as Jonathan Coe's other novels. For me, this is just a profound a novel as any nominated for The Booker Prize this year. Its comic tone may well have prevented its inclusion but this is a heavyweight piece of literary fiction - and a brilliantly accessible and funny one to boot.

What other book might you compare Expo 58 to, and why?

Jonathan Coe's other novels - especially What A Carve Up!, still the best critique of the Thatcher government and how it permanently changed British life for the worse. Expo 58's nostalgic, humorous tone also reminded me of Julian Barnes' England, England as well.

What does Julian Rhind-Tutt bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Julian Rhind-Tutt's reading was wonderfully judged - making the most of the comic potential of the novel's many jokes and puns and sensitive to the story's highs and lows. Accents and voices were perfectly handled throughout. A five star performance and a perfect match to the tone of the novel.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

As I have mentioned above, the crescendo of the novel left me emotionally devastated. Jonathan Coe had spent every chapter leading me to that point, and the revelations at the conclusion were profound and hard hitting, yet still wryly humorous.

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A Lucky Find

Any additional comments?

I stumbled onto this wonderful book by accident and I am so pleased I did. It's a really great and at times funny story perfectly read.

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Fun period piece

Would you consider the audio edition of Expo 58 to be better than the print version?

I don't know - I have only listened to it, but I think the reader certainly added to the enjoyment.

What other book might you compare Expo 58 to, and why?

In terms of gentle humour and in terms of the period in which it was set I would compare it to Lucky Jim, but not in quite the same league in a literary sense.

Have you listened to any of Julian Rhind-Tutt’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No I haven't, but I will certainly look out for more as I really enjoyed what he brought to the book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

It wasn't really that kind of book, but there were one or two slightly poignant moments around the marital relationship.

Any additional comments?

A galloping good listen which was great fun and definitely evoked the feel of the post war era with its feeling of optimism but also undercurrents of the red under the bed threat!

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I think I love this book

But I feel I shouldn’t. It’s rather bitty- bit farcical, bit spy story, social commentary, period piece and then later a rather sober rumination on the choices we make.
It shouldn’t be a good read but overall it’s more than the sum of its parts and I think I really like it (although some bits more than others).
And the narration was fab throughout.
Just wish the author’s endnotes were included as now I need to buy a hard copy!

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Enjoyable comic novel that tries to be poignant

If you could sum up Expo 58 in three words, what would they be?

Fun in the Fifties with spies.

If you’ve listened to books by Jonathan Coe before, how does this one compare?

This is the first that I've listened to, but I've read most of the others.. Whilst hugely enjoyable, I wouldn't rate it as highly as the Rotters Club - still his best.

What about Julian Rhind-Tutt’s performance did you like?

Yes - another really good narrator.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Naive Brit let loose in 1950s Europe

Any additional comments?

Much of the book is very funny; although some of the plot is predictable and that robs it of its potential comic drama. Some of the attempts at poignancy don't work, but then it's very hard to create a comic character, like the main protagonist,Thomas Foley, and then try and introduce poignancy. It's still good fun to listen to and I would recommend it as a undemanding listen - great for a car journey or a crowded commute.

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3 people found this helpful

Coe on top form

What a marvellous book. Not the usual Coe in my opinion, maybe a bit slow to warm up but it does build and soon has an amusing array of characters and an intriguing plot... will he, won’t he!

I’m not going to give any spoilers, but I loved it.

Worth a mention; Julian Rhind-Tutt’s narration is spot on!

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Superb narration

Would you listen to Expo 58 again? Why?

No - I have not re-listened to anything yet, and could only think that I might with someone heavier-going than this.

Which character – as performed by Julian Rhind-Tutt – was your favourite?

Radford and Wayne were hilarious. I also liked the neighbour.

Any additional comments?

I liked this book; it had a suitable amount of humour throughout, although I thought the last chapter was unnecessary - I was not really interested in what happened to only some of the characters later in life and thought the book would have had more impact without it. I've found this a bit of a problem with some of Coe's other work - it seems the main body is so good that it can be let down by the ending (What a Carve Up in particular was very disappointing for me at the end). I was also not too fussed about the section when talking about his father (or was it grandfather - I tuned out).

I really liked the narration and would certainly to listen to other books narrated by Julian Rhind-Tutt.

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1 person found this helpful

Different

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. I found this book a bit different to the sort of thing I would normally listen too, but very enjoyable with quirky little twists and turns.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Expo 58?

The reunion at the beer Keller

Which character – as performed by Julian Rhind-Tutt – was your favourite?

Thomas is presented by Julian Rhind-Tutt in a way that makes the character believable (but anything that Julian Rhind-Tutt does is fine by me ... Remember Green Wing??)

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An unusual spy story

Our main protagonist is a little slow in understanding the complexities of the situation and simply follows the most obvious path. It's a simple story, beautifully told. A very easy enjoyable listen. It's not supposed to be complex but I'd have liked a little more intrigue, however, very enjoyable regardless.

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