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Прикосновение к любви
Робин Грант - потерянная душа, когда-то он любил девушку, но она вышла за другого. А Робин стал университетским отшельником, вечным аспирантом. Научная карьера ему не светит, а реальный мир кажется средоточием тоски и уродства. Но у Робина есть отдушина - рассказы, которые он пишет, забавные и мрачные, странные, как он сам. Робин ищет любви, но когда она оказывается перед ним, он проходит мимо - то ли не замечая, то ли отвергая. Собственно, Робин не знает, нужна ли ему любовь, или хватит ее прикосновения? А жизнь, словно стремясь усугубить его сомнения, показывает ему сюрреалистическую изнанку любви, раскрашенную в мрачные и нелепые тона. Что есть любовь? Мимолетное счастье, большая удача или слабость, в которой нуждаются лишь неудачники?
Джонатан Коу рассказывает странную историю, связывающую воедино события в жизни Робина с его рассказами, финал ее одним может показаться комичным, а другим - безысходно трагичным, но каждый обязательно почувствует удивительное настроение, которым пронизана книга: меланхоличное, тревожное и лукавое. "Прикосновение к любви" - второй роман Д.Коу, автора "Дома сна" и "Случайной женщины", после него о Коу заговорили как об одном из самых серьезных и оригинальных писателей современности. Как и все книги Коу, "Прикосновение к любви" - не просто развлечение, оторванное от жизни, а скорее отражение нашего странного мира.
Джонатан Коу рассказывает странную историю, связывающую воедино события в жизни Робина с его рассказами, финал ее одним может показаться комичным, а другим - безысходно трагичным, но каждый обязательно почувствует удивительное настроение, которым пронизана книга: меланхоличное, тревожное и лукавое. "Прикосновение к любви" - второй роман Д.Коу, автора "Дома сна" и "Случайной женщины", после него о Коу заговорили как об одном из самых серьезных и оригинальных писателей современности. Как и все книги Коу, "Прикосновение к любви" - не просто развлечение, оторванное от жизни, а скорее отражение нашего странного мира.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1989
17 people are currently reading
493 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Coe
82 books2,607 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Jonathan Coe, born 19 August 1961 in Birmingham, is a British novelist and writer. His work usually has an underlying preoccupation with political issues, although this serious engagement is often expressed comically in the form of satire. For example, What a Carve Up! reworks the plot of an old 1960s spoof horror film of the same name, in the light of the 'carve up' of the UK's resources which some felt was carried out by Margaret Thatcher's right wing Conservative governments of the 1980s. Coe studied at King Edward's School, Birmingham and Trinity College, Cambridge, before teaching at the University of Warwick where he completed a PhD in English Literature. In July 2006 he was given an honorary degree by The University of Birmingham.
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Retrieved 10:55, February 2, 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan...
Jonathan Coe, born 19 August 1961 in Birmingham, is a British novelist and writer. His work usually has an underlying preoccupation with political issues, although this serious engagement is often expressed comically in the form of satire. For example, What a Carve Up! reworks the plot of an old 1960s spoof horror film of the same name, in the light of the 'carve up' of the UK's resources which some felt was carried out by Margaret Thatcher's right wing Conservative governments of the 1980s. Coe studied at King Edward's School, Birmingham and Trinity College, Cambridge, before teaching at the University of Warwick where he completed a PhD in English Literature. In July 2006 he was given an honorary degree by The University of Birmingham.
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Retrieved 10:55, February 2, 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
February 27, 2020
Two old university friends meet in the years following graduation to catch up. Ted is a salesman and married to Kate, their mutual friend, and Robin is unemployed (and unemployable) dossing about not doing much, avoiding doing his thesis, and basically being depressed. And then poor Robin is accused of a shocking crime and his life begins to unravel.
I quite liked Jonathan Coe’s second novel, A Touch of Love, but it’s a tough book to summarise. Like all of his work, the tone of this story is light and comedic, so it’s not really about the criminal accusation, and, even when it is, it’s dealt with rather amusingly. But then that’s kind of the book’s major failing: its lack of focus, making it hard to understand what Coe was driving at.
I suppose if it’s about anything, it’s about heartbreak and regret, the topics of a gazillion songs. Robin was secretly in love with Kate but he never said anything to her or acted and so Ted ended up marrying her even though she, and Robin, might’ve been happier together. Or not - it’s unclear whether Robin’s current low mental state is a result of an unsuccessful love life or whether he was always this way. And in that regard it’s not badly done. The regret and might-have-been moments are rather poignant.
But it’s also a light satire on academia, particularly the humanities, and a fairly gentle critique of 1980s Britain (anyone else remember John Menzies and BHS?): the conservative politics, subtle racism, and the perceived increasing vacuity in the general populace. I think that’s why the book is not terribly memorable - Coe’s going after too many things, in a relatively short book too, but without leaving much of an impression on any of them. In that sense the title - A Touch of Love - is appropriate; it’s bland and forgettable, without much to suggest it.
And yet - I liked the novel too. It’s really well-written and surprisingly entertaining - enough that I blew through it in a weekend, no problem. There are four short stories dotted throughout, “written” by Robin, all of which were fun as well as providing an insight into his gloomy, lonely life and mind.
I didn’t really understand the point of the “crime” Robin committed, given how bizarrely it develops out of nowhere, other than to give him an arc, of sorts, and introduce us to Emma, his solicitor, whose life we also get to know. Was it to illustrate the random nature of existence? But Emma was an interesting character to get to know too so none of this stuff really bothered me, it’s just to say again that I have no idea what Coe was trying to say with this novel, if anything.
This is also the funniest Coe novel I’ve read yet. I particularly enjoyed the imaginary interview Robin gave in his head about his short stories:
“Interviewer: I suppose the university used to play an important part in your collective intellectual life.
Robin: Yes, it did. It was where we used to buy our sandwiches.
Interviewer: What would you say were the main characteristics of the group?
Robin: Pallor, depression, extreme social gracelessness, malnutrition and sexual inexperience.”
(p.133-134)
“Interviewer: Tell me about your writing. What are the distinguishing characteristics of your writing?
Robin: My writing falls into two distinct categories. There is my creative writing (not the best word, I know, but I can’t think of any other) and my critical writing. Now what distinguishes my creative writing, what it all has in common, what gives it a sort of thematic unity, is that it is all, without exception, unpublished. None of it has ever appeared in any printed form whatever, and none of it has ever attracted even a word of praise or approbation from any agent, editor or publisher’s reader.”
(p.134 - I didn’t copy out the whole answer because it goes on for a page but it’s all really funny)
It’s slow to start with but it builds up, and maintains, a good head of steam so that it’s a quick and, by turns, funny and entertaining read. It’s not Jonathan Coe’s best book, and you can see he’s still developing as a writer, but it’s accomplished too and definitely worth a look if you’re a fan of the author.
3.5 stars
I quite liked Jonathan Coe’s second novel, A Touch of Love, but it’s a tough book to summarise. Like all of his work, the tone of this story is light and comedic, so it’s not really about the criminal accusation, and, even when it is, it’s dealt with rather amusingly. But then that’s kind of the book’s major failing: its lack of focus, making it hard to understand what Coe was driving at.
I suppose if it’s about anything, it’s about heartbreak and regret, the topics of a gazillion songs. Robin was secretly in love with Kate but he never said anything to her or acted and so Ted ended up marrying her even though she, and Robin, might’ve been happier together. Or not - it’s unclear whether Robin’s current low mental state is a result of an unsuccessful love life or whether he was always this way. And in that regard it’s not badly done. The regret and might-have-been moments are rather poignant.
But it’s also a light satire on academia, particularly the humanities, and a fairly gentle critique of 1980s Britain (anyone else remember John Menzies and BHS?): the conservative politics, subtle racism, and the perceived increasing vacuity in the general populace. I think that’s why the book is not terribly memorable - Coe’s going after too many things, in a relatively short book too, but without leaving much of an impression on any of them. In that sense the title - A Touch of Love - is appropriate; it’s bland and forgettable, without much to suggest it.
And yet - I liked the novel too. It’s really well-written and surprisingly entertaining - enough that I blew through it in a weekend, no problem. There are four short stories dotted throughout, “written” by Robin, all of which were fun as well as providing an insight into his gloomy, lonely life and mind.
I didn’t really understand the point of the “crime” Robin committed, given how bizarrely it develops out of nowhere, other than to give him an arc, of sorts, and introduce us to Emma, his solicitor, whose life we also get to know. Was it to illustrate the random nature of existence? But Emma was an interesting character to get to know too so none of this stuff really bothered me, it’s just to say again that I have no idea what Coe was trying to say with this novel, if anything.
This is also the funniest Coe novel I’ve read yet. I particularly enjoyed the imaginary interview Robin gave in his head about his short stories:
“Interviewer: I suppose the university used to play an important part in your collective intellectual life.
Robin: Yes, it did. It was where we used to buy our sandwiches.
Interviewer: What would you say were the main characteristics of the group?
Robin: Pallor, depression, extreme social gracelessness, malnutrition and sexual inexperience.”
(p.133-134)
“Interviewer: Tell me about your writing. What are the distinguishing characteristics of your writing?
Robin: My writing falls into two distinct categories. There is my creative writing (not the best word, I know, but I can’t think of any other) and my critical writing. Now what distinguishes my creative writing, what it all has in common, what gives it a sort of thematic unity, is that it is all, without exception, unpublished. None of it has ever appeared in any printed form whatever, and none of it has ever attracted even a word of praise or approbation from any agent, editor or publisher’s reader.”
(p.134 - I didn’t copy out the whole answer because it goes on for a page but it’s all really funny)
It’s slow to start with but it builds up, and maintains, a good head of steam so that it’s a quick and, by turns, funny and entertaining read. It’s not Jonathan Coe’s best book, and you can see he’s still developing as a writer, but it’s accomplished too and definitely worth a look if you’re a fan of the author.
3.5 stars
December 21, 2018
Ho una certa stima di Coe, anche se non mi entusiasma.
Qui però siamo decisamente fuori sintonia.
La storia è triste triste, il protagonista si attorce su se stesso senza speranza; la costruzione narrativa è piuttosto artificiosa.
E poi non ho nemmeno capito il titolo. Mah.
Qui però siamo decisamente fuori sintonia.
La storia è triste triste, il protagonista si attorce su se stesso senza speranza; la costruzione narrativa è piuttosto artificiosa.
E poi non ho nemmeno capito il titolo. Mah.
March 6, 2020
ho imparato a leggere a poco più di quattro anni e da allora, benché siano passati purtroppo molti decenni, non ricordo un giorno in cui non abbia avuto un libro in mano. Per leggerlo, o almeno per scorrere le prime pagine in libreria, o anche solo per godere del profumo della carta. Eppure ogni tanto mi capita un breve periodo in cui prendo il libro e lo poso dopo cinque minuti: inspiegabilmente, non ne ho voglia. Non ho mai capito se succeda senza un motivo, solo perché una volta ogni tanto anche il piatto che ti piace di più ti lascia indifferente, o invece perché il libro che sto tentando di leggere non riesce a darmi niente.
Non so perché, ma è capitato con questo libro (scritto da uno dei miei preferiti!), che ha certamente molte buone idee ma, a mio parere, le sparge fra molte pagine prive di ritmo. E i personaggi non attirano simpatia, sono tutti, ciascuno a suo modo, concentrati su se stessi e pagano a caro prezzo - almeno alcuni di loro - l'incapacità di uscire dal proprio bozzolo, almeno per manifestare i propri sentimenti ad una persona che, più o meno oscuramente, amano.
Il libro è del 1989, Coe ha scritto molto di meglio negli anni seguenti.
Non so perché, ma è capitato con questo libro (scritto da uno dei miei preferiti!), che ha certamente molte buone idee ma, a mio parere, le sparge fra molte pagine prive di ritmo. E i personaggi non attirano simpatia, sono tutti, ciascuno a suo modo, concentrati su se stessi e pagano a caro prezzo - almeno alcuni di loro - l'incapacità di uscire dal proprio bozzolo, almeno per manifestare i propri sentimenti ad una persona che, più o meno oscuramente, amano.
Il libro è del 1989, Coe ha scritto molto di meglio negli anni seguenti.
May 21, 2020
A touching and clever little book about a university friendship and it's aftermath a few years later, A good read, although it's an early Jonathan Coe and not really reflective of his later better known work. 6 out of 12.
December 3, 2014
Il mio primo Coe: una noia infinita.
Non so poi dove abbia trovato la forza per leggerne un secondo: e non che l'aver trovato questa forza sia stato ripagato in qualche modo.
Ingrato!
Non so poi dove abbia trovato la forza per leggerne un secondo: e non che l'aver trovato questa forza sia stato ripagato in qualche modo.
Ingrato!
January 8, 2020
One can feel that Jonathan Coe was still finding his literary voice with his second novel, A Touch of Love. In hindsight it is a better book than his debut, The Accidental Woman. It is more experimental, the clumsy satire is being toned down and although it has the same themes of his previous novel, I think it is explored in a cleverer way.
This time Coe uses the ‘novella within a novel’ technique. The main character is Robin, who has a lot of problems, from his unsuccessful relationships to his personal hygiene. Eventually he is accused of committing a serious crime. This all stems from the fact that Robin is incapable of displaying love. Instead he channels all his experiments with love within four short stories. Throughout the book these are read by characters who have had dealings with Robin. Soon he is faced with a choice which will affect his life.
As such the main story is ok. Nothing amazing, as for the short stories, they are ok too except for the second one, The Lucky Man, which was a sheer joy to read. It is both funny, intelligent and is a signpost of what Coe is capable of doing.
On the whole A Touch of Love is good novel but still feels underdeveloped. Too much time is spent on being clever while the characters feel underdeveloped. It is a step forward though.
This time Coe uses the ‘novella within a novel’ technique. The main character is Robin, who has a lot of problems, from his unsuccessful relationships to his personal hygiene. Eventually he is accused of committing a serious crime. This all stems from the fact that Robin is incapable of displaying love. Instead he channels all his experiments with love within four short stories. Throughout the book these are read by characters who have had dealings with Robin. Soon he is faced with a choice which will affect his life.
As such the main story is ok. Nothing amazing, as for the short stories, they are ok too except for the second one, The Lucky Man, which was a sheer joy to read. It is both funny, intelligent and is a signpost of what Coe is capable of doing.
On the whole A Touch of Love is good novel but still feels underdeveloped. Too much time is spent on being clever while the characters feel underdeveloped. It is a step forward though.
November 22, 2011
"Voglio dire che una parola può essere un'arma letale" E su questa frase fece una pausa con soddisfazione evidente. "Una sola parola può distruggere ciò che un milione di altre ha fatto. Una parola fuori posto può disfare qualsiasi cosa: una famiglia, un matrimonio, un'amicizia".
Secondo romanzo di Jonathan Coe e anteprima di quel che sarà il resto della sua produzione più famosa. A leggere questo romanzo solo dopo aver letto gli altri, invertendo l'ordine cronologico, si perde un po' il gusto della lettura: già scritto, e pure meglio. Inevitabile. Ciò però non deve togliere a questo breve romanzo i suoi meriti, fosse solo perché rappresenta la miccia che ha fatto deflagrare il talento di Coe. Di lui c'è già tutto, o quasi: la critica sociopolitica (i tanto contestati anni Ottanta della Tatcher), personaggi giovanili, il mondo dell'università, le relazioni umani, le complicazioni degli affetti, compresi quelli omosessuali, i giochi narrativi metatestuali.
Robin, protagonista indiscusso del romanzo, per quanto parli sempre per voce degli altri, è un giovane terribilmente disilluso, incompreso, fuori dal mondo; un uomo che, nella vita, ha sbagliato tutti i tempi. Attorno a lui si muove una galleria di personaggi non meno caratterizzati, tutti, in un modo o nell'altro, legati tra loro dalla figura di Robin e dai suoi quattro racconti.
Un assaggio, dunque, ma nulla di più.
Secondo romanzo di Jonathan Coe e anteprima di quel che sarà il resto della sua produzione più famosa. A leggere questo romanzo solo dopo aver letto gli altri, invertendo l'ordine cronologico, si perde un po' il gusto della lettura: già scritto, e pure meglio. Inevitabile. Ciò però non deve togliere a questo breve romanzo i suoi meriti, fosse solo perché rappresenta la miccia che ha fatto deflagrare il talento di Coe. Di lui c'è già tutto, o quasi: la critica sociopolitica (i tanto contestati anni Ottanta della Tatcher), personaggi giovanili, il mondo dell'università, le relazioni umani, le complicazioni degli affetti, compresi quelli omosessuali, i giochi narrativi metatestuali.
Robin, protagonista indiscusso del romanzo, per quanto parli sempre per voce degli altri, è un giovane terribilmente disilluso, incompreso, fuori dal mondo; un uomo che, nella vita, ha sbagliato tutti i tempi. Attorno a lui si muove una galleria di personaggi non meno caratterizzati, tutti, in un modo o nell'altro, legati tra loro dalla figura di Robin e dai suoi quattro racconti.
Un assaggio, dunque, ma nulla di più.
July 29, 2011
In a desperate bid to end the recent run of bad books (except for the Hornby - review to follow) I chose a Jonathan Coe. I had to pick the one that sucked though, didn't I? Well, that's not entirely fair. But I didn't get what I wanted, or had come to expect from Coe, from it.
However, this illuminating exchange between unpublished author Robin and his on-off friend Aparna and, in fact the entire conversation from which it comes, almost convince me to read it again:
Robin - "Did you find it amusing? Did it make you smile, the irony of it?"
Aparna - "Not really. What people call irony in literature is usually called pain and misunderstanding in real life, and that doesn't make me smile."
However, this illuminating exchange between unpublished author Robin and his on-off friend Aparna and, in fact the entire conversation from which it comes, almost convince me to read it again:
Robin - "Did you find it amusing? Did it make you smile, the irony of it?"
Aparna - "Not really. What people call irony in literature is usually called pain and misunderstanding in real life, and that doesn't make me smile."
June 22, 2010
Reading the reviews of others, I'm mystified how anyone found this book remotely witty or laugh out loud.
I was expecting humour or at least a bit of a jocular lift. Instead I got world-weary relationship disappointments, awkwardness, promises unfulfilled, and the central tragedy of Robin and his relationships.
I read it on a weekend away, always expecting it to suddenly burst from black and white into colour like the Wizard of Oz but it didn't. I was not engaged or amused by any of these people - just mildly depressed and kind of glad that I don't know anyone remotely like Coe's characters.
I was expecting humour or at least a bit of a jocular lift. Instead I got world-weary relationship disappointments, awkwardness, promises unfulfilled, and the central tragedy of Robin and his relationships.
I read it on a weekend away, always expecting it to suddenly burst from black and white into colour like the Wizard of Oz but it didn't. I was not engaged or amused by any of these people - just mildly depressed and kind of glad that I don't know anyone remotely like Coe's characters.
July 28, 2011
The everyday unhappiness of a perennial under-achiever becomes unbearable when a ridiculous misunderstanding is blown out of proportion. This is rather slight, though I applaud the author's intentions. Revealing more about Robin's inner life through his unpublished stories is quite poignant, and that some of them outlive him is horribly ironic. But this just doesn't have the emotional depth the author may have been striving for. However there are some funny moments, it's well written, an easy read, and there are plenty of worse books about.
June 26, 2008
I loved Jonathan Coe's House of Sleep and this is more proof that he is a very fine writer. The language is spare and deceptively simple, since the nested narrative techniques used are quite complex. It explores real human emotion in a postmodern way but without feeling show-offy or unnecessarily tricksy. My only criticisms are the unsatisfying ending and that no one character has left a lasting impression on me. Good but somehow forgettable.
September 6, 2025
Το δεύτερο βιβλίο του Jonathan Coe που διαβάζω φέτος στο πρωτότυπο και ένα εκ των δύο που δεν κυκλοφορούν ακόμη στα ελληνικά, το A touch of love, δεν συγκαταλέγεται σίγουρα στα καλύτερά του, είναι, ωστόσο, ένα ενδιαφέρον ανάγνωσμα από πολλές απόψεις.
Ο κεντρικός ήρωας του έργου, ο Ρόμπιν, είναι ένας υποψήφιος διδάκτορας στα 26 του που ονειρεύεται να γίνει συγγραφέας. Το μεγαλύτερο μέρος της έκτασης του έργου καλύπτουν τέσσερα διηγήματά του τα οποία, με τον δικό του τρόπο το καθένα, αποκαλύπτουν μια διαφορετική όψη της προσωπικότητας του δημιουργού τους ή μαρτυρούν τις ανείπωτες επιθυμίες του, επιθυμίες ενός νεαρού με ελαφρώς καταθλιπτικές τάσεις που ζει με την ανάμνηση ενός παλιού έρωτα και πολλά what if. Σε σημεία ο ήρωάς του μοιάζει αρκετά με τη Μαρία, των πρωταγωνίστρια του An accidental woman, του πρώτου του μυθιστορήματος που το διάβασα κι αυτό φέτος το καλοκαίρι για πρώτη φορά.
Το γνώριμο αφηγηματικό στυλ του Κόου σε συνδυασμό με τα συνεχή flashback και τους ιδιόμορφους χαρακτήρες και το χαρακτηριστικό χιούμορ του δημιουργούν μια αίσθηση οικειότητας στους φανατικούς, όπως εγώ, αναγνώστες του. Η αλήθεια είναι όμως, πως αν η πρώτη μου επαφή με την πένα του γινόταν με αυτό το μυθιστόρημα (κι όχι με "Το σπίτι του ύπνου", όπως συνέβη στην πραγματικότητα) δε θα με κέρδιζε.
Ο κεντρικός ήρωας του έργου, ο Ρόμπιν, είναι ένας υποψήφιος διδάκτορας στα 26 του που ονειρεύεται να γίνει συγγραφέας. Το μεγαλύτερο μέρος της έκτασης του έργου καλύπτουν τέσσερα διηγήματά του τα οποία, με τον δικό του τρόπο το καθένα, αποκαλύπτουν μια διαφορετική όψη της προσωπικότητας του δημιουργού τους ή μαρτυρούν τις ανείπωτες επιθυμίες του, επιθυμίες ενός νεαρού με ελαφρώς καταθλιπτικές τάσεις που ζει με την ανάμνηση ενός παλιού έρωτα και πολλά what if. Σε σημεία ο ήρωάς του μοιάζει αρκετά με τη Μαρία, των πρωταγωνίστρια του An accidental woman, του πρώτου του μυθιστορήματος που το διάβασα κι αυτό φέτος το καλοκαίρι για πρώτη φορά.
Το γνώριμο αφηγηματικό στυλ του Κόου σε συνδυασμό με τα συνεχή flashback και τους ιδιόμορφους χαρακτήρες και το χαρακτηριστικό χιούμορ του δημιουργούν μια αίσθηση οικειότητας στους φανατικούς, όπως εγώ, αναγνώστες του. Η αλήθεια είναι όμως, πως αν η πρώτη μου επαφή με την πένα του γινόταν με αυτό το μυθιστόρημα (κι όχι με "Το σπίτι του ύπνου", όπως συνέβη στην πραγματικότητα) δε θα με κέρδιζε.
April 13, 2019
L'amore non guasta è il secondo libro pubblicato di Jonathan Coe, in Italia edito da Feltrinelli, ed è stato il romanzo prescelto per il mio gruppo di lettura sull'autore (#LibriDiCoe su Instagram) per il mese di Aprile.
L'amore non guasta (titolo italiano che, per me, non rende l'idea del messaggio quanto l'originale) è un libro che dimostra molte delle caratteristiche migliori dell'autore ma che, per chi ha letto tanti altri suoi libri, rimangono un po' in sordina.
La trama ci parla di Robin, uomo che sta attraversando una fase delicata della propria vita: privo di slancio vitale, non sa più cosa fare e quali obiettivi perseguire. La sua storia non ci verrà raccontata solamente dal suo punto di vista ma anche da quello di Ted, ex amico dell'università, Aparna, nuova amica con cui l'uomo ha instaurato un rapporto particolare ed Emma, una legale brava ma molto presa dalla sua vita privata.
Il libro è diviso in quattro parti e ognuna di esse contiene al suo interno un frammento della storia principale e un racconto. Infatti, L'amore non guasta ha al suo interno della metanarrazione: i racconti che leggeremo sono stati scritti da Robin, autore in erba.
Questa struttura lascia intravedere la capacità dell'autore nell'intercambiare sapientemente le scelte narrative (così come l'utilizzo di lettere, diari ecc) ma in questo volume sarà solamente accennata rispetto ad altre opere.
"Ah," disse debolmente, "è una serie su cui sto lavorando. Non ti saprei dire perché mi ci sono messo. Sono quattro storie, tutte collegate tra loro. Trattano di sesso, di amicizia, di scelte: cose così."
Il resto della recensione su https://www.leggoquandovoglio.it/libr...
L'amore non guasta (titolo italiano che, per me, non rende l'idea del messaggio quanto l'originale) è un libro che dimostra molte delle caratteristiche migliori dell'autore ma che, per chi ha letto tanti altri suoi libri, rimangono un po' in sordina.
La trama ci parla di Robin, uomo che sta attraversando una fase delicata della propria vita: privo di slancio vitale, non sa più cosa fare e quali obiettivi perseguire. La sua storia non ci verrà raccontata solamente dal suo punto di vista ma anche da quello di Ted, ex amico dell'università, Aparna, nuova amica con cui l'uomo ha instaurato un rapporto particolare ed Emma, una legale brava ma molto presa dalla sua vita privata.
Il libro è diviso in quattro parti e ognuna di esse contiene al suo interno un frammento della storia principale e un racconto. Infatti, L'amore non guasta ha al suo interno della metanarrazione: i racconti che leggeremo sono stati scritti da Robin, autore in erba.
Questa struttura lascia intravedere la capacità dell'autore nell'intercambiare sapientemente le scelte narrative (così come l'utilizzo di lettere, diari ecc) ma in questo volume sarà solamente accennata rispetto ad altre opere.
"Ah," disse debolmente, "è una serie su cui sto lavorando. Non ti saprei dire perché mi ci sono messo. Sono quattro storie, tutte collegate tra loro. Trattano di sesso, di amicizia, di scelte: cose così."
Il resto della recensione su https://www.leggoquandovoglio.it/libr...
August 3, 2021
This is early Jonathan Coe; it lacks the clarity and fullness of later work, like The House of Sleep (my favorite).
Robin Grant is having a bad day, a bad year, and possibly a bad life. He's allegedly working on a thesis at Coventry, but he hasn't produced anything in the past five years, other than anxiety, depression, failed relationships, and a few short stories scribbled in notebooks. These four stories are interspersed with Robin's meeting with an old pal (who remembers their college days in a much more golden light than Robin himself), the disintegration of his lawyer's marriage, Robin's interrogation of his own psyche, Robin's final verbal sparring match with his disenchanted friend Aparna, and Aparna's final farewell to Coventry.
Like many people, I like carrying around a sense of lost opportunity with me, it gives my life some sort of aesthetic aspect, and it is a good excuse for feeling unhappy when things are not going well.
Robin Grant is having a bad day, a bad year, and possibly a bad life. He's allegedly working on a thesis at Coventry, but he hasn't produced anything in the past five years, other than anxiety, depression, failed relationships, and a few short stories scribbled in notebooks. These four stories are interspersed with Robin's meeting with an old pal (who remembers their college days in a much more golden light than Robin himself), the disintegration of his lawyer's marriage, Robin's interrogation of his own psyche, Robin's final verbal sparring match with his disenchanted friend Aparna, and Aparna's final farewell to Coventry.
Like many people, I like carrying around a sense of lost opportunity with me, it gives my life some sort of aesthetic aspect, and it is a good excuse for feeling unhappy when things are not going well.
December 18, 2012
This is Coe's second novel, and it's as goog as the first. His favourite topics are clearly developed: (troubled) friendship, (troubled) love, (troubled) working life, especially in the academic field.
But the end is, as usual, lighter. Although most of his characters suffers through his pages, there's always one of them who manage to detatch him/herself from the crowd, and rebuild his/her life in a more positive way
But the end is, as usual, lighter. Although most of his characters suffers through his pages, there's always one of them who manage to detatch him/herself from the crowd, and rebuild his/her life in a more positive way
January 17, 2011
This is not a happy story, and it has no happy ending. But I didn't know that. Having read and appreciated 'What a Carve Up' by the same author, I expected this book to be a satirical novel. Still, after a somewhat boring first chapter, the plot quickly becomes very rich and interesting. I got drawn into this moving tale and, unusually, could not put the book down until it was finished.
March 21, 2011
An interesting tale where the protagonist is not the primary actor. Despite a certain incident being pivotal to the plot, it is not described, but only mentioned in passing by one other character, not the parties involved. There are stories within stories in this novel and yet they all seem to tie to the protagonist and his psyche. A very confounding yet quaint read.
October 20, 2019
Mi sto affezionando a questo scrittore e al modo in cui scrive.. Sembra di stare dentro a una cartolina di tanti anni fa
July 24, 2025
luv mr coe's writing style
June 4, 2025
This novel is so feeble in its characters and its desperate efforts to lurch at postmodernism with the Robin Grant stories that, if this had been the FIRST Jonathan Coe book I had ever read, I would have instantly declared Coe one of the worst living writers in England. You won't find any of the humor, warmth, or sharp observations in WHAT A CARVE UP! here. You will find flat and boring people with braying and boring anxieties. Oh, and gratuitous racist jokes. In fact, this whole novel is gratuitous and should never have been published. I mean, for all my complaints about DANGLING MAN, you can still find TRACES of the Saul Bellow to come. But in A TOUCH OF LOVE, there isn't a single soupcon of talent. This is a pointless book written by a doddering young writer who didn't know what he was doing.
November 28, 2011
Secondo romanzo di Jonathan Coe e anteprima di quel che sarà il resto della sua produzione più famosa. A leggere questo romanzo solo dopo aver letto gli altri, invertendo l'ordine cronologico, si perde un po' il gusto della lettura: già scritto, e pure meglio. Inevitabile. Ciò però non deve togliere a questo breve romanzo i suoi meriti, fosse solo perché rappresenta la miccia che ha fatto deflagrare il talento di Coe. Di lui c'è già tutto, o quasi: la critica sociopolitica (i tanto contestati anni Ottanta della Tatcher), personaggi giovanili, il mondo dell'università, le relazioni umani, le complicazioni degli affetti, compresi quelli omosessuali, i giochi narrativi metatestuali.
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March 22, 2014
Ho apprezzato molto "La famiglia Winshaw", ma questo libro non mi è piaciuto. Particolare l'idea dei racconti nel romanzo, ma anche questa non è proprio un'idea che nessuno aveva avuto prima.
Troppa dietrologia, troppe spiegazioni ricercate tra parole estrapolate dal contesto, troppo dolore taciuto ed agito; insomma non è un libro che rileggerei, tantomeno in un bel pomeriggio d'estate sdraiata al sole, figurarsi in una stagione uggiosa come questa, quando davvero pensi che piovera' per sempre.
Forse non sono sufficientemente intimista, forse è una storia che conosco per averla ascoltata troppe volte, forse l'amore a volte non guasta, ma potrebbe non essere sufficiente, forse....
Troppa dietrologia, troppe spiegazioni ricercate tra parole estrapolate dal contesto, troppo dolore taciuto ed agito; insomma non è un libro che rileggerei, tantomeno in un bel pomeriggio d'estate sdraiata al sole, figurarsi in una stagione uggiosa come questa, quando davvero pensi che piovera' per sempre.
Forse non sono sufficientemente intimista, forse è una storia che conosco per averla ascoltata troppe volte, forse l'amore a volte non guasta, ma potrebbe non essere sufficiente, forse....
May 23, 2010
Another amazing of example of the high quality of Coe's output. After reading the Dwarves of Death, which I wasn't all that thrilled by, I expected that as I moved further back through Coe's work I'd find less of the magic that make books like The House of Sleep, The Rotters Club, and The Rain Before it falls so amazing. Boy was I wrong! Coe's a master at capturing human emotion and while he's at it, weaving tales that really keep you guessing. My only gripe here is that A Touch of Love felt a tad too short, but that's only because it was so excellent.
April 13, 2011
Avendo letto "I Terribili segreti di Maxwell Sim" prima di questo romanzo, la prima cosa a cui ho pensato è stata che "L'Amore non guasta" fosse in qualche modo l'embrione di Maxwell Sim, sia come temi e concetti, che come struttura, con i quattro racconti (sempre quattro) che intervallano la narrazione.
E devo dire che, in questo caso, ho trovato i racconti più interessanti del romanzo in cui sono incastonati.
Comunque, rispetto alle altre letture di Coe da tre stelle, questa varrebbe una mezza stellina in più.
E devo dire che, in questo caso, ho trovato i racconti più interessanti del romanzo in cui sono incastonati.
Comunque, rispetto alle altre letture di Coe da tre stelle, questa varrebbe una mezza stellina in più.
February 3, 2008
I'm not sure what to think or say about that novel. Except for that it was absolutely not what I expected. Not that I didn't like it; not at all but I thought it would be a different story.
On the back cover the Sunday Times described the novel as 'unusual and intriguing' and I guess it works, as descriptions go.
I certainly felt for Robin, but can't really say the same about the other characters.
On the back cover the Sunday Times described the novel as 'unusual and intriguing' and I guess it works, as descriptions go.
I certainly felt for Robin, but can't really say the same about the other characters.
May 9, 2010
Anguish. That is the feeling that I was left with after I finsihed the book. Emptiness, heartache and sorrow followed. Despite having said that, it was also full of laughter and I remmeber I actually laughed out loud at a scene in the book. Perhaps I'm just a very emotional reader but it was a story that moved me immensely, but not in a feel-good way.
May 21, 2010
A very nice read: light, witty, full of humour and yet touching yet deeper strings of our innermost feelings: loneliness, unrequited love, inability to relate to other. I loved the way the small novels by the protagonist, were inserted into the main plot, unfolding secrets by alluding to them via parrallel stories. Very touching indeed.
July 28, 2011
Frère jumeau de la "Femme de Hasard", Colin Grant, intellectuel aux révoltes et aux sentiments rentrés, trouve un sens à sa ... mort, le jour où il se retrouve accusé de pédophilie. Et l'on ressort de la lecture de ce deuxième roman de Jonathan Coe une nouvelle fois ébloui par le talent narratif de l'écrivain anglais...
October 23, 2012
Non mi è dispiaciuto ma non mi ha nemmeno esaltato.
Forse, come leggo nelle review, questa è un'opera propedeutica a quelle successive di Coe di cui salvo i racconti all'interno della storia, narrati da Robin, un intellettuale letterato, inconcludente e depresso.
Vedrò in futuro di leggere qualcosa d'altro e farmi un'idea più precisa sull'autore.
Forse, come leggo nelle review, questa è un'opera propedeutica a quelle successive di Coe di cui salvo i racconti all'interno della storia, narrati da Robin, un intellettuale letterato, inconcludente e depresso.
Vedrò in futuro di leggere qualcosa d'altro e farmi un'idea più precisa sull'autore.
January 5, 2014
Well written, and an interesting structure. Told from various points of view by characters who have dealings with the central young depressive. And interspersed with four stories by the perennial student himself.
But I felt I didn't quite get it. And didn't see the humour in lonely, odd characters, who I would cross the road to avoid.
But I felt I didn't quite get it. And didn't see the humour in lonely, odd characters, who I would cross the road to avoid.
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