Hilarious. ( )

As I struggled to be subjective and fair to Kingsley, whom I much admired in my younger days, I read a review posted by another reader who encapsulated exactly what I wanted to say myself. Without a blush then, I quote … “Sportingly” says the American reviewer, “he reveals his own social pratfalls as much as others. Or maybe fair play has nothing to do with it; he just recognizes good material no matter who the subject is … this is a very English, sometimes acidly English, survey of one writer's circle of acquaintances.”

The ‘survey’ does not reveal too much – or even enough – of them as Kingsley himself suggested … quoted in a Kirkus review … " Amis says his holding back saves pain”. But it does not help a ‘life’ very much, leaving the reader with a rather flat account of his friends, their meetings, and even such famous acquaintances as Phillip Larkin are gently brushed in. Having so enjoyed and remembered from early readings Kingsley’s sparkling prose in “Lucky Jim” and ”Take a girl like you” I was expecting rather more.

Disappointing read then, and only recommended for those already acquainted with the main body of his works which provide the evidence of this author’s true ability in his craftsmanship and wit.