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The Corridor
The Corridor tells the story of a group of Oxford students through their conversations, tweets, emails and text messages. Includes a cast of super-confident, utterly reprehensible, self-obsessed politicians-in-waiting.
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First published July 16, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 24, 2020
Disclaimer: I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Nice Cake Publishing Ltd. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
I’m not gonna lie, this audiobook was so hilarious! I really liked seeing how the other cool half lives in Oxford, and some of the nuances that the students would end up going through. Also, mini disclaimer but this review may be pretty short because I wasn’t really going based off of my regular aspects that I look at. Plus, honestly I feel like this book went by super quickly that I was just more into how funny it was.
We have a cool cast of characters that we got to follow, and I liked how the audiobook had the dialogue between the characters mixed in with texts and other forms of social media / online communication without so much of the flowery and prose-y type of writing. I think the way that Neal had the set up for the way that the plot was worked out way better than if it was a regular type of story.
Plus not having to worry about all the classes and all the important stuff about attending Oxford, because who wants to know about that when we want to know the juicy stuff like secret societies and parties and stuff. It also gave me some of a Fred and George Weasley vibe with the humor. Maybe even because of the whole UK setting too. Or that could just be me missing the world of Harry Potter and Fred and George being so silly and happy and up to their old tricks as usual.
Great job to Hardman for his narration work. I don’t think I’ve heard him before but I think he was a pretty good neutral narrator for this story!
I’m not gonna lie, this audiobook was so hilarious! I really liked seeing how the other cool half lives in Oxford, and some of the nuances that the students would end up going through. Also, mini disclaimer but this review may be pretty short because I wasn’t really going based off of my regular aspects that I look at. Plus, honestly I feel like this book went by super quickly that I was just more into how funny it was.
We have a cool cast of characters that we got to follow, and I liked how the audiobook had the dialogue between the characters mixed in with texts and other forms of social media / online communication without so much of the flowery and prose-y type of writing. I think the way that Neal had the set up for the way that the plot was worked out way better than if it was a regular type of story.
Plus not having to worry about all the classes and all the important stuff about attending Oxford, because who wants to know about that when we want to know the juicy stuff like secret societies and parties and stuff. It also gave me some of a Fred and George Weasley vibe with the humor. Maybe even because of the whole UK setting too. Or that could just be me missing the world of Harry Potter and Fred and George being so silly and happy and up to their old tricks as usual.
Great job to Hardman for his narration work. I don’t think I’ve heard him before but I think he was a pretty good neutral narrator for this story!
March 27, 2020
Set in a single corridor in the fictional Oxford Uni college of Goodfitz, this story relays the daily goings-on for students as a new term starts.
There is a wide mix of characters - the posh Bullington Club president, Ben, who's entire world is ruined by the fact he no longer has an en-suite bathroom! His vice-president, Rupert, a 'leftie', intent on exposing the favouritism and elitism of the college and university in general (who, ironically does have an en-suite). New girl, Poppy, who gained a place on the accessibility for all programme, is thrown in at the deep end and finds the rules baffling and, to be honest, out of step with the real world. She starts an online diary, which perfectly expresses the insanity and sheer inanity of the protocols she's obliged to follow. Added to this motley crew, there's an avid rower, Lexi, Albert, the eternal student, still writing his thesis, and The Master whose job it is to keep order.
The interactions between the characters are both funny and irritating (though not at the same time!) Student politics plays a large role - the pettiness of the issues raised highlight the differences in expectations of Tory Ben and Socialist Rupert, and will instantly remind any reader or listener of the shenanigans in Westminster. Their hugely combative relationship is told through snarky emails, and their attempts to get others onside. Poppy's diary keeps the passage of time in check.
There are moments to make you laugh out loud, and others to make you despair: If these stereotypes are the future leaders of Britain, then things - I'm sorry to say - ain't gonna get better ;)
The narration is well done; I had no problem following the story, and indeed the tone of voice really suits the characters and their personalities. As far as observational comedy goes, this is a great example. Showing warts and all with what is clearly insider knowledge, it is a comedy, but it sure does explain a lot about some people currently in power in Britain - and not in a good way.
Recommended to fans of satire with both feet firmly fixed in reality. I'll definitely read (listen to) the sequel.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Vic Neal. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
There is a wide mix of characters - the posh Bullington Club president, Ben, who's entire world is ruined by the fact he no longer has an en-suite bathroom! His vice-president, Rupert, a 'leftie', intent on exposing the favouritism and elitism of the college and university in general (who, ironically does have an en-suite). New girl, Poppy, who gained a place on the accessibility for all programme, is thrown in at the deep end and finds the rules baffling and, to be honest, out of step with the real world. She starts an online diary, which perfectly expresses the insanity and sheer inanity of the protocols she's obliged to follow. Added to this motley crew, there's an avid rower, Lexi, Albert, the eternal student, still writing his thesis, and The Master whose job it is to keep order.
The interactions between the characters are both funny and irritating (though not at the same time!) Student politics plays a large role - the pettiness of the issues raised highlight the differences in expectations of Tory Ben and Socialist Rupert, and will instantly remind any reader or listener of the shenanigans in Westminster. Their hugely combative relationship is told through snarky emails, and their attempts to get others onside. Poppy's diary keeps the passage of time in check.
There are moments to make you laugh out loud, and others to make you despair: If these stereotypes are the future leaders of Britain, then things - I'm sorry to say - ain't gonna get better ;)
The narration is well done; I had no problem following the story, and indeed the tone of voice really suits the characters and their personalities. As far as observational comedy goes, this is a great example. Showing warts and all with what is clearly insider knowledge, it is a comedy, but it sure does explain a lot about some people currently in power in Britain - and not in a good way.
Recommended to fans of satire with both feet firmly fixed in reality. I'll definitely read (listen to) the sequel.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Vic Neal. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
April 18, 2022
3.5 rounded down. This was a free Kindle read from Amazon...but for the first time reading free books, this one just erk! stopped in the middle of a situation (ok, cliffhanger) and gave a link to buy the next book in the series. There's currently 4. So, an okay read but the appetizer was enough for me.
This is about six students living on a corridor in a college in Oxford and their interactions. Emails, twitter posts and phone calls all flow into the narrative. So it's a very fast read (and I actually changed the page count. It was listed at 444 pgs, a chunkster!, but in reality only 348.) One of the students, Poppy, is a scholarship student who also receives a stripend, yet she decides to mock the Oxford traditions on a blog. Not very smart after all!
So, yes, think about that, only 6 students on one floor with no roommates. There's also an administration office which I'm assuming was done for narrative purposes. It's been decades since my kids were in college, but do they really have co-ed bathrooms at college now? When college student president Ben suggests bringing in American students 3 to a room to make money, he certainly could have done it with 2 to a room especially if there's a bathroom included.
Well, I didn't see any mention of killing deer when a tutor dies, but there are some weird traditions from a college that started in 1096, such as--
October: Merton Time Ceremony (Merton College)
On the day when British Summer Time becomes Greenwich Mean Time, the full Merton College community gathers at 2AM in full academic dress to process backwards around the quod for one hour. Because of the clocks going back, they both start and finish at 2AM. They believe that this restores stability to the time and space continuum.
and
October: Boundary Wall Inspection (New College)
Since the medieval era, the City Walls which adjoin New College have been crucial for protecting the city from any invaders. This has led to a ceremony every three years performed by the Lord Mayor of the City of Oxford which involves the New College governing body walking the Mayor around the walls to inspect them. This tour includes the full procession walking up ladders and climbing scaffolding in order to make a full inspection. Luckily, the walls were strong at the last inspection!
This is about six students living on a corridor in a college in Oxford and their interactions. Emails, twitter posts and phone calls all flow into the narrative. So it's a very fast read (and I actually changed the page count. It was listed at 444 pgs, a chunkster!, but in reality only 348.) One of the students, Poppy, is a scholarship student who also receives a stripend, yet she decides to mock the Oxford traditions on a blog. Not very smart after all!
So, yes, think about that, only 6 students on one floor with no roommates. There's also an administration office which I'm assuming was done for narrative purposes. It's been decades since my kids were in college, but do they really have co-ed bathrooms at college now? When college student president Ben suggests bringing in American students 3 to a room to make money, he certainly could have done it with 2 to a room especially if there's a bathroom included.
Well, I didn't see any mention of killing deer when a tutor dies, but there are some weird traditions from a college that started in 1096, such as--
October: Merton Time Ceremony (Merton College)
On the day when British Summer Time becomes Greenwich Mean Time, the full Merton College community gathers at 2AM in full academic dress to process backwards around the quod for one hour. Because of the clocks going back, they both start and finish at 2AM. They believe that this restores stability to the time and space continuum.
and
October: Boundary Wall Inspection (New College)
Since the medieval era, the City Walls which adjoin New College have been crucial for protecting the city from any invaders. This has led to a ceremony every three years performed by the Lord Mayor of the City of Oxford which involves the New College governing body walking the Mayor around the walls to inspect them. This tour includes the full procession walking up ladders and climbing scaffolding in order to make a full inspection. Luckily, the walls were strong at the last inspection!
March 28, 2020
Poppy has been given a once in a lifetime opportunity. She's been given a scholarship to one of the best schools in the country. She doesn't feel that she earned it. She feels like they are seeing her as a charity case since she attended one of the worst schools in the area. She creates a video blog to talk about her experience at the school.
This book had a lot of great potential. It had some pretty witty characters. The whole scene was very posh. I was quite impressed with the aspect of it. It even had the very realistic feeling of how school life might be in the modern times. A lot of stories stick with the old school ways. But I digress. The formatting was unique. I mean it made things easier to read, but still. I liked the story quite a bit.
The major point here is that I didn't enjoy it. While I thought it had great potential, I also saw the many flaws as well. I listened to this in audio, but I had a digital copy of the book as well so I followed along. I also didn't care for the grammar used in emails. I mean I get it. Grammar isn't ultimately important with portrayals like that. However, these students are apparently going to a very pristine school. I would expect them to at least be able to use the shift key at the beginning of each sentence. The college student who just types without using the shift key at all just wasn't realistic for me.
This book was narrated by Jack Hardman. He did a pretty amazing job with the narration. I really enjoyed his accent very much and would prefer not to know if it was not an authentic accent. I don't think there's another book in this series in audiobook. I'm not sure if I'd continue if there were. I will be willing to listen to other books that this narrator narrates. He has a very soothing tone that I enjoyed very much.
I really did like this story even though I didn't love it. It had a lot of great potential. I really enjoyed the very unique formatting. It made the book very easy to read. I also enjoyed the easy banter of the characters. I just feel that the book fell flat in many places. I also feel that it lacked something. I can't put my finger on what it lacked, but maybe one day I will. I might give the rest of the volumes in this series a chance. I'm not sure yet. If I do, it won't be right away. Either way, I recommend it. There's somebody out there who will fall in love with it. I'm sure.
This book had a lot of great potential. It had some pretty witty characters. The whole scene was very posh. I was quite impressed with the aspect of it. It even had the very realistic feeling of how school life might be in the modern times. A lot of stories stick with the old school ways. But I digress. The formatting was unique. I mean it made things easier to read, but still. I liked the story quite a bit.
The major point here is that I didn't enjoy it. While I thought it had great potential, I also saw the many flaws as well. I listened to this in audio, but I had a digital copy of the book as well so I followed along. I also didn't care for the grammar used in emails. I mean I get it. Grammar isn't ultimately important with portrayals like that. However, these students are apparently going to a very pristine school. I would expect them to at least be able to use the shift key at the beginning of each sentence. The college student who just types without using the shift key at all just wasn't realistic for me.
This book was narrated by Jack Hardman. He did a pretty amazing job with the narration. I really enjoyed his accent very much and would prefer not to know if it was not an authentic accent. I don't think there's another book in this series in audiobook. I'm not sure if I'd continue if there were. I will be willing to listen to other books that this narrator narrates. He has a very soothing tone that I enjoyed very much.
I really did like this story even though I didn't love it. It had a lot of great potential. I really enjoyed the very unique formatting. It made the book very easy to read. I also enjoyed the easy banter of the characters. I just feel that the book fell flat in many places. I also feel that it lacked something. I can't put my finger on what it lacked, but maybe one day I will. I might give the rest of the volumes in this series a chance. I'm not sure yet. If I do, it won't be right away. Either way, I recommend it. There's somebody out there who will fall in love with it. I'm sure.
November 14, 2014
If you love Fresh Meat you'll adore The Corridor
Set in the fictional Oxford University college of Goodfitz, The Corridor is a wry look at university life by someone who's been there and obviously seen it all! It reads more like a script than a novel, but that's what makes it so readable and doesn't detract from the narrative in any way.
The main characters include, predictably, a posh 'Beastings' (Bullington) Club member with delusions of grandeur (Ben), a 'socialist' who is at Oxford in order to bring it down from the inside (Rupert), a girl who lives for rowing (Lexi) and the 'ordinary' voice of sanity, a scholarship fresher who begins an online diary (Poppy). Oh, and we mustn't forget the eccentric life-long student, Albert, who has been writing his 'fascinating' thesis for years, and the Master, who constantly battles the students.
We never deviate from the setting, the same student hall corridor (hence the title), so the gaps in between the students going about their day are brought to life through Poppy's online diary and the emails from Ben and Rupert. Student politics is portrayed as petty and insular (a bit like Westminster!), and there are many laugh-out-loud moments, as well as more cringey moments, such as Rupert being duped by Ben (one of many times!) into emailing the college about the perils of a certain sexual practice, and when we learn exactly what a 'milk race' is...
The Corridor reminds me of the Channel 4 programme 'Fresh Meat': it is funny, touching and contains much about human nature at its worst (and, towards the end, its best). I would have given it four and a half stars if I could as there are some spelling errors later on, but that is a minor point, as it doesn't ruin what is an excellently written, wonderfully observed gem of a book which I am glad to have come across. I am looking forward to the sequel!
Set in the fictional Oxford University college of Goodfitz, The Corridor is a wry look at university life by someone who's been there and obviously seen it all! It reads more like a script than a novel, but that's what makes it so readable and doesn't detract from the narrative in any way.
The main characters include, predictably, a posh 'Beastings' (Bullington) Club member with delusions of grandeur (Ben), a 'socialist' who is at Oxford in order to bring it down from the inside (Rupert), a girl who lives for rowing (Lexi) and the 'ordinary' voice of sanity, a scholarship fresher who begins an online diary (Poppy). Oh, and we mustn't forget the eccentric life-long student, Albert, who has been writing his 'fascinating' thesis for years, and the Master, who constantly battles the students.
We never deviate from the setting, the same student hall corridor (hence the title), so the gaps in between the students going about their day are brought to life through Poppy's online diary and the emails from Ben and Rupert. Student politics is portrayed as petty and insular (a bit like Westminster!), and there are many laugh-out-loud moments, as well as more cringey moments, such as Rupert being duped by Ben (one of many times!) into emailing the college about the perils of a certain sexual practice, and when we learn exactly what a 'milk race' is...
The Corridor reminds me of the Channel 4 programme 'Fresh Meat': it is funny, touching and contains much about human nature at its worst (and, towards the end, its best). I would have given it four and a half stars if I could as there are some spelling errors later on, but that is a minor point, as it doesn't ruin what is an excellently written, wonderfully observed gem of a book which I am glad to have come across. I am looking forward to the sequel!
September 10, 2016
If you love Fresh Meat you'll adore The Corridor
Set in the fictional Oxford University college of Goodfitz, The Corridor is a wry look at university life by someone who's been there and obviously seen it all! It reads more like a script than a novel, but that's what makes it so readable and doesn't detract from the narrative in any way.
The main characters include, predictably, a posh 'Beastings' (Bullington) Club member with delusions of grandeur (Ben), a 'socialist' who is at Oxford in order to bring it down from the inside (Rupert), a girl who lives for rowing (Lexi) and the 'ordinary' voice of sanity, a scholarship fresher who begins an online diary (Poppy). Oh, and we mustn't forget the eccentric life-long student, Albert, who has been writing his 'fascinating' thesis for years, and the Master, who constantly battles the students.
We never deviate from the setting, the same student hall corridor (hence the title), so the gaps in between the students going about their day are brought to life through Poppy's online diary and the emails from Ben and Rupert. Student politics is portrayed as petty and insular (a bit like Westminster!), and there are many laugh-out-loud moments, as well as more cringey moments, such as Rupert being duped by Ben (one of many times!) into emailing the college about the perils of a certain sexual practice, and when we learn exactly what a 'milk race' is...
The Corridor reminds me of the Channel 4 programme 'Fresh Meat': it is funny, touching and contains much about human nature at its worst (and, towards the end, its best). I would have given it four and a half stars if I could as there are some spelling errors later on, but that is a minor point, as it doesn't ruin what is an excellently written, wonderfully observed gem of a book which I am glad to have come across. I am looking forward to the sequel!
Set in the fictional Oxford University college of Goodfitz, The Corridor is a wry look at university life by someone who's been there and obviously seen it all! It reads more like a script than a novel, but that's what makes it so readable and doesn't detract from the narrative in any way.
The main characters include, predictably, a posh 'Beastings' (Bullington) Club member with delusions of grandeur (Ben), a 'socialist' who is at Oxford in order to bring it down from the inside (Rupert), a girl who lives for rowing (Lexi) and the 'ordinary' voice of sanity, a scholarship fresher who begins an online diary (Poppy). Oh, and we mustn't forget the eccentric life-long student, Albert, who has been writing his 'fascinating' thesis for years, and the Master, who constantly battles the students.
We never deviate from the setting, the same student hall corridor (hence the title), so the gaps in between the students going about their day are brought to life through Poppy's online diary and the emails from Ben and Rupert. Student politics is portrayed as petty and insular (a bit like Westminster!), and there are many laugh-out-loud moments, as well as more cringey moments, such as Rupert being duped by Ben (one of many times!) into emailing the college about the perils of a certain sexual practice, and when we learn exactly what a 'milk race' is...
The Corridor reminds me of the Channel 4 programme 'Fresh Meat': it is funny, touching and contains much about human nature at its worst (and, towards the end, its best). I would have given it four and a half stars if I could as there are some spelling errors later on, but that is a minor point, as it doesn't ruin what is an excellently written, wonderfully observed gem of a book which I am glad to have come across. I am looking forward to the sequel!
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