The Better World of Reginald Perrin

Reginald Perrin #3

by David Nobbs

The Better World of Reginald Perrin Nobbs, David

Genres: Humor, Fiction, 20th Century

301 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Nigeyb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Over the last few years I have read and thoroughly enjoyed The Fall And Rise of Reginald Perrin (1976) and The Return of Reginald Perrin (1977).

The Better World of Reginald Perrin (1979) is the final part of the original trilogy and I'm sad to report it's not as good as the previous two instalments. Too much is rehashed and the catch phrases now feel tired and overused. It's worth a read if you've got this far and there's still plenty to enjoy but David Nobbs was running out of ideas and ended the series at the right time (although that said there is a belated fourth book - The Legacy of Reginald Perrin (1997) - set after Reggie's death)

3/5



This hilarious episode in the remarkable exploits of Reginald Iolanthe Perrin follows our hero on his most ambitious venture yet.

Setting up a commune strictly for the middle-class and middle-aged, Reggie's therapy centre nurtures its clients, encouraging them to find the love and goodness that lurks deep inside.

And he's gathered together the unlikeliest of staff to help him- including C.J. (for people's work problems), David Harris-Jones (handling their sex problems), plus Tony Webster (culture), his son-in-law Tom (sport) and Doc Morrissey (psychology).

With a team like this, how can the indomitable, unconventional R.I.P. ever fail in his bid to create a Better World?

[Chrissie]

***********************

*The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin TBR
*The Return of Reginald Perrin TBR
*The Better World of Reginald Perrin TBR

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfectly enjoyable continuation of the series and perhaps the best conceit of the trilogy, as the concept of the community is a great comedy setup. It's a good way of using all the characters and putting them into ridiculous situations. My only quibble is that the world of Reggie is a little one-dimensional and the overarching joke is a bit of a one-tricky pony, which does start to wear a bit thin on the third run-out. The best moments are probably with CJ, whose character is expanded a tiny amount, while the biggest wasted opportunity is Elizabeth, and her relationship with Reggie. Elizabeth's character is criminally underexplored in this one; the fact she simply goes along with everything Reggie does seems a bit hard to credit, and simply less interesting that their relationship being strained. Equally, Linda is a little underused, and her relationship with Jimmy - which is one of my favourite elements of the earlier books - simply evaporates, which is a shame.

Overall an enjoyable conclusion to the trilogy and definitely has some excellent scenes, including some of the funniest in the series, but also one I'm happy to leave here and not return to, as I think the joke has now run its course.

[Edward Champion · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is such a deeply disappointing dropoff from the first two Reginald Perrin books, which were brilliant and witty. There are flashes of Nobbs's wit here with C.J.'s "twin brother" (who, of course, uses the same "I didn't get where I am today" catchphrase) and a clueless "philosopher" who tries to become involved with the commune. But while I devoured the first two Perrin books, I found myself getting easily distracted with this third one. Nobbs seems out of ideas here. He's completely capitulated the hook and the fun of the first two books, which were about how many roles in a capitalist society are interchangeable. Instead of insight into the absurdities of living, he has his large cast of characters do a lot of complaining. And the novel is a great disappointment from an otherwise reliable satirical writer.

[Cristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

So now that I've read all three Reggie Perrin books, I can say that the first and last are my favourites. I know a lot of people thought that this one fell short, but that's how I felt about the second one. The story line was just a little too fantastic, not that this one isn't either but in a different way, a way that appeals to me I suppose. I just felt that Nobbs was back on top of his game with this one. I just love how Reggie tries to avoid confrontation at all costs.

[Derek Bridge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Third installment. Nowhere near as good as the first two. You can feel the TV adaptation hovering nearby (although that was poor too), as it moves from comedy scene to comedy scene, catchphrase to catchphrase. Some 1970s language too.

[Federico · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still think it worths the time spent on it, but it’s the less beautiful book of the Perrin trilogy

[Jeff J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third book in the Reginald Perrin series. The mid-life crisis continues.

[Muaz Jalil · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not like it much. Bit stretched, like the F&Furious franchise .

[Steve Flig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Engagingly absurd, rather than funny. Enjoyable and thought-provoking, but let down by well- intentioned but clumsy (dated) treatment of gender and ethnicity.

[Jerstyn Morehay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't get where I am today by saying great, super, there's been a cock-up on the catering front, or I'm just not a such-and-such person; if someone hasn't made the joke already. (I'd venture they have.) Reggie at his most public spirited forms Perrins, a Utopian clinic for the middle-aged and middle-class, reassembles the "gang", including C.J., Jimmy, Tony Webster, Joan Harris-Webster, David Harris-Jones, and Doc Morrissey, and proceeds to improve his little corner of the world before (unintentionally) destroying it. Oh well. Perrins goes the way of Grot and Sunshine Desserts before it, but ultimately proves a worthwhile venture perhaps or even because of its utter futility. Here's hoping he's able to make a go of it in aerosols, but something tells me there'll soon be yet another pair of clothes lying on the beach off the Dorset coast.

[Kieran Telo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, super. Third of the Reggie Perrin books, this is the one where they set up the self-help commune.