Our book group choice for October 2021 is Middle England by Jonathan Coe. Set in the Midlands and London over the last eight years, Jonathan Coe follows a brilliantly vivid cast of characters through a time of immense change and disruption in Britain.
Middle England is a 2018 novel by Jonathan Coe that explores the experiences of a group of characters living in England in the years leading up to and following the Brexit referendum. The novel is set in a variety of locations, including Birmingham, London, and the Cotswolds.
The novel begins with the wedding of Ian and Sophie, a young couple who are deeply divided over the issue of Brexit. Ian is a staunch Remainer, while Sophie is a potential Leaver. Their disagreement over this issue casts a shadow over their marriage from the start.
Meanwhile, Doug, a political commentator, is struggling to come to terms with the rise of populism and nationalism in Britain. His teenage daughter, Alice, is a radical activist who is determined to fight for social justice.
Benjamin Trotter, a middle-aged man who has recently lost his job, is trying to find a new direction in his life. He begins writing a novel about the decline of England, but he quickly realizes that the novel is becoming too personal and painful.
The novel also follows the lives of a number of other characters, including Colin Trotter, Benjamin’s father, who is dying of cancer; Sohan, a young man of Sri Lankan descent who is trying to find his place in England; and Claire Newman, a former classmate of Benjamin and Doug who is now a successful businesswoman.
Through the stories of these characters, Coe explores the many different ways in which Brexit has affected people’s lives. He shows how the referendum has divided families, friends, and communities. He also shows how it has exacerbated existing social and economic divisions.
Middle England is a complex and nuanced novel that offers no easy answers. It is a novel that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.
Here are some additional thoughts on the novel:
- The novel is a masterful exploration of the social and political divisions in Britain. Coe does an excellent job of showing how these divisions have been exacerbated by Brexit.
- The novel is also a moving and insightful portrait of a group of people who are trying to find their way in a changing world. Coe’s characters are complex and believable, and they will stay with you long after you have finished reading the novel.
- The novel is beautifully written. Coe’s prose is elegant and evocative, and he does a masterful job of capturing the atmosphere of England in the years leading up to and following the Brexit referendum.
Discussion Questions
- Which character in Middle England do you have most sympathy for and why?
- In the story Charlie the clown ends up in jail for assault. How realistic do you think the portrayal of this character is? How much sympathy do you have for Charlie?
- Benjamin is married to someone for thirty years, in order to largely fulfil a teenage fantasy. How does this influence your views of Benjamin? What is your view of him?
- Benjamin’s soul mate is ultimately his sister. Discuss.
- Middle England is marketed primarily as a comedy. How accurate is this?
- Why do you think this book has received so much media attention? Does your opinion in any way detract from your enjoyment of the story?
- Benjamin’s father, becomes in Benjamin’s opinion, bitter and misguided towards the end of his life. It is only the thought of leaving Europe that animates him, yet going to post his vote perhaps leads to his fall and ultimate death. Explore Benjamin’s relationship with his father.
- Is Benjamin’s sister to blame for her father’s death? Why or why not?
- Will this book have relevance in twenty years time?
- To whom would you recommend this book?