This is the first book I read by Coe and unfortunately it doesn't make me want to read more. The story is fragmented and not well told. The book is too short and somehow unfinished. Plus, I don't understand the cover of this edition (and to be honest, not even the title of the book itself...). ( )

Robin si è laureato a Cambridge ma da oltre quattro anni sta preparando il dottorato a Coventry. Un male oscuro sembra consumarlo, forse il ricordo di un amore lontano e mai dichiarato che lo tortura come il primo giorno. Intorno a questo male e alla tesi di dottorato di cui nessuno ha mai visto una sola riga, monta un clima di catastrofe imminente. Basterebbe un "tocco d'amore", forse.

un piccolo gioiello.
struggente e perfetto. ( )

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. ( )

The main interest I had in this was its setting - I know Coventry quite well as my husband comes from there. Lots of real life places are mentioned in the story. Quite short and to the point, as far as plot is concerned; I preferred Coe's longer stuff. ( )