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What Fun: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 16 Feb 27Succession meets The Talented Mr. Ripley in this sharp and stylish satire of modern power about an aristocratic family and the fantastically wealthy American couple they befriend in troubled times.
The Gators are a sufficiently ancient English family who love their dogs more than their children and never cry at funerals. They’re also pretty terrible with money, despite having encountered quite a lot of it. After an ill-advised scheme from their youngest son sees their grand private members club fall into financial troubles, they’re thrilled to meet the young, exotic an outrageously rich and suspiciously beautiful couple, recently arrived in London from New York. But over a series of debaucherous holidays, as the families’ lives and fates intertwine, it becomes increasingly difficult to tell who is really using who — and just what each player might do to maintain their sacred way of life.
An elegant and sparkling comedy of manners, What Fun globe-trots around the playgrounds of the ultra-wealthy, from St. Moritz to Tuscany to Cap Ferret (only in August, of course), and discovers a family haunted across the generations by expectations, insecurities, absurdities and misplaced affections. Thick with observational humor and witty social commentary, it tells the story of a family, the story of a class, the story of a country—and the story of a club. Which, in this particular case, all turn out to be the exact same thing.
The Gators are a sufficiently ancient English family who love their dogs more than their children and never cry at funerals. They’re also pretty terrible with money, despite having encountered quite a lot of it. After an ill-advised scheme from their youngest son sees their grand private members club fall into financial troubles, they’re thrilled to meet the young, exotic an outrageously rich and suspiciously beautiful couple, recently arrived in London from New York. But over a series of debaucherous holidays, as the families’ lives and fates intertwine, it becomes increasingly difficult to tell who is really using who — and just what each player might do to maintain their sacred way of life.
An elegant and sparkling comedy of manners, What Fun globe-trots around the playgrounds of the ultra-wealthy, from St. Moritz to Tuscany to Cap Ferret (only in August, of course), and discovers a family haunted across the generations by expectations, insecurities, absurdities and misplaced affections. Thick with observational humor and witty social commentary, it tells the story of a family, the story of a class, the story of a country—and the story of a club. Which, in this particular case, all turn out to be the exact same thing.
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication February 16, 2027
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It's been awhile since I wanted to describe a novel as a snack or a delight or a little treat or an honest to god gateau of good times, but WHAT FUN has returned me to my arsenal of food metaphors. In fact, climb the ladder and cascade the champagne down the coupes because Bullmore's novel more than lives up to its title, it's not just fun, it's a rollicking, dark, gimlet eyed comedy of manners that reminds you reading can actually be, well, a riot.
While reading this, I guffawed, snorted, and dramatically read passages aloud to my husband who was trying to parse the Yankee's mathematical chances of coming back against Tampa Bay. I flew through WHAT FUN with the kind of speed one works through anything delicious, stuck on a loop of just-one-more until the box of candies is empty or you find yourself suddenly up against the wall of "acknowledgements to come."
Look. I'm not sure what else I can say to convince you to read this. But let me end here: do you sometimes feel like you're dragging your mortal coil through a book? (I do.) Do you not want to feel that way? Then read WHAT FUN. The title honestly undersells it.
While reading this, I guffawed, snorted, and dramatically read passages aloud to my husband who was trying to parse the Yankee's mathematical chances of coming back against Tampa Bay. I flew through WHAT FUN with the kind of speed one works through anything delicious, stuck on a loop of just-one-more until the box of candies is empty or you find yourself suddenly up against the wall of "acknowledgements to come."
Look. I'm not sure what else I can say to convince you to read this. But let me end here: do you sometimes feel like you're dragging your mortal coil through a book? (I do.) Do you not want to feel that way? Then read WHAT FUN. The title honestly undersells it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really wanted to love this book. *Succession* meets *The Talented Mr. Ripley*? Yes, please. I approached reading it expecting that juicy mix of wealthy, dysfunctional characters, questionable motives, and rising tension. I even saw traces of *The Long Island Compromise* in what I imagined.
However, what I received was a novel filled with cleverly witty, dry sentences and lengthy, entertaining paragraphs that vividly depict this particular upper-class world. The writing is sharp, with the author demonstrating talent in capturing the absurdity, self-importance, and unique rhythms of these characters’ lives. Often, I found myself admiring a sentence or image, even if I wasn’t fully engaged with the plot.
That, ultimately, was my challenge. The plot progressed slowly, leaving me sometimes lost in detailed descriptions and observations. While the atmosphere was strong, it came at the cost of pacing and momentum. I kept waiting for the tension to kick in and for the story to transform into the delightfully chaotic, suspenseful experience I expected.
There is much to admire here, especially the writing and vivid sense of place and class. I only found myself appreciating the sentences more than the story itself compelled me. It’s a book I wanted to love, likely better suited for readers who prefer rich character development, ambiance, and sharp prose over rapid plot progression. Thank you to Mariner and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
However, what I received was a novel filled with cleverly witty, dry sentences and lengthy, entertaining paragraphs that vividly depict this particular upper-class world. The writing is sharp, with the author demonstrating talent in capturing the absurdity, self-importance, and unique rhythms of these characters’ lives. Often, I found myself admiring a sentence or image, even if I wasn’t fully engaged with the plot.
That, ultimately, was my challenge. The plot progressed slowly, leaving me sometimes lost in detailed descriptions and observations. While the atmosphere was strong, it came at the cost of pacing and momentum. I kept waiting for the tension to kick in and for the story to transform into the delightfully chaotic, suspenseful experience I expected.
There is much to admire here, especially the writing and vivid sense of place and class. I only found myself appreciating the sentences more than the story itself compelled me. It’s a book I wanted to love, likely better suited for readers who prefer rich character development, ambiance, and sharp prose over rapid plot progression. Thank you to Mariner and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews