Funnier the first time I read it, over 15 years ago, in an pre-Trump era; now it's a bit less funny and a bit more sad. A smart Everywoman, disillusioned in love at an early age when her father leaves, takes control of a corporate world that is a nation-state unto itself, an England more English than England, on the Isle of Wight: a theme park that celebrates history as photo collage with fun captions. It continues the theme of historical fiction presented in Flaubert's Parrot: how all history is fictionalized to various extents, and all our fictions have a history. Also continued are themes of lovers ennui, despair as way of life, and what makes truth truthful in the larger context. Some easy shots, a bit snarky in places, but redeemed by the main character, who is really the only character with development. ( )

A very well researched and funny (satirical) book that is let down a little by a very slow build-up. The central concept of simulacra is well maintained and this is an enjoyable read for large sections. ( )

I'm afraid I did not finish this book. It starts well enough, with a short section introducing Martha Cochrane as a child, and talking about memory and accuracy of memory.

The next section I found less interesting. Here we meet Sir Jack Pitman, who wants to turn the Isle of Wight into a theme park representing all things English, and Paul Harrison, an ideas catcher, who becomes Martha's lover.

Not one for me, it was chosen as this month's book club read, and I discovered at the meeting that I was not the only one who had not finished it. I gather by not finishing it, I have missed some funny and interesting bits, so I've put it to one side to revisit at some point. ( )

Barnes utiliza una larga metáfora para describir las dos inglaterras, la profunda y la de la city y el dinero. Cual se ha convertido en la real, ya que todo se confunde. En el medio la nostalgia por el imperio, el Brexit, y el dolor de recordar el imperio cuando ya no se es. ( )

I did not enjoy this at all, there were some funny moments though ( )