Reading the Book

Michael is a lonely, rather pathetic writer, obsessed by the film ‘What A Carve Up!’ in which a mad knifeman cuts his way through the inhabitants of a decrepit stately pile as the thunder rages. Inexplicably he is commissioned to write the family history of the Winshaws, an upper class Yorkshire clan whose members have a finger in every establishment pie, from arms dealing to art dealing, from politics to banking to the popular press and factory farming. During his researches Michael realizes that the Winshaws have cast a blight on his life, as they have on Britain. His confidence, his sexual and personal identity begin to reform. In a climax set in the Winshaws’ family seat the novel turns into the film ‘What A Carve Up!’ as a murderous maniac stalks the family and Michael discovers the significance of Shirley Eaton’s lingerie. 

This blurb is taken from the Penguin brief. Its a great description of the book. Its a satirical novel detailing the political and social environment in Britain in the 1980's. Jonathan Coe critiques British politics with the conservative reign of Maggie Thatcher, where National policy seems to be dictated by narrow minded, powerful groups.