One sentence summary
An ingenious and witty account of one man’s fall (and rise?) aided by modern technology.
Rating
Five and half stars if that’s possible
Review
Jonathan Coe is known for many engaging and original books such as What a Carve Up, The House of Sleep and The Rotters’ Club (serialised on BBC Television), and a new book by him is eagerly awaited by his readers. The Terrible Privacy of Maxwell Sim, does not disappoint, and to my mind is among his best, or may even be the best. The book is funny and satirical, while also being at times moving, evoking an unexpected sympathy for Maxwell who seems to be the classic “loser”, perhaps showing us the un-wisdom of writing people off too soon.
There are so many themes in this book its difficult to know where to start. Maxwell Sim is newly separated (against his will) from his wife and daughter and suffering from acute loneliness, exacerbated by his failure to get more than 70 friends on Facebook. He has been off work for six months with clinical depression and when the book opens, he is making a visit to his father in Australia. This is a depressing experience, for his father is, as he has been all his life, distant and aloof, preferring to blank out his family rather than constructively engaging with them.
On the plane home he meets a young woman called Poppy and is surprised to find that for once in his life he forms a genuinely spontaneous and fulfilling relationship with her, which will surface again later in the book. Significantly, she shows him a letter describing the voyage of Donald Crowhurst, who took part in a round the world sailing race in the 1970s but allowed his personal chaos to beguile him into trying to cover up his failure to complete the course by falsifying logs and ultimately coming to a disastrous end. This story resonates with Maxwell, who takes up the theme of losing himself on a long journey by accepting a short term contract driving to the Shetland Islands to promote a new range of toothbrushes (cleverly incorporated in the cover design of the book!). Maxwell takes delivery of a Toyota Prius, complete with a beguiling female-voiced Satnav, and heads up north, calling in on the way on various people from his past including old neighbours, his wife and daughter, and an old almost-flame who once again he doesn’t quite hook up with.
During the course of his story, poor Maxwell finds out more and more about what people think about him. When he discovers that his wife is an avid participator on Mumsnet, he invents a female persona and starts to correspond with her. This turns out to be not a good idea because he finds out more about her attitude to him than is good for him. Later he reads an old college essay written by a neighbours daughter twenty years ago which contains even more upsetting news about his past. A final attack on Maxwell’s sanity is provided by a document he finds in a collection of his father’s papers which contains devastating news about Maxwell’s origins. Coe inserts these various documents and others into the text, so we get to see the source material and experience Maxwell’s surprises first hand. With too much information filling his already stressed brain, the drive north proceeds with Maxwell descending into a state of mental chaos from which it seems impossible for him to return.
I will not say any more about the story as it would be too easy to spoil. The themes are immensely clever however, not least the way in which the isolated and lonely Maxwell finds modern technology both a friend and an enemy, providing him with impersonal contacts, but also leading him into a world of illusion which definitely does not help his state of mind. I enjoyed the way Jonathan Coe allows us into Maxwell’s mind. The story is told in the first person, and it we soon realise that Maxwell is a nice guy, but terribly ordinary. Coe however allows us to see that there is rather more to him than at first meets the eye and it is rewarding to see the character development that occurs despite the many set-backs.
I’d love to write about the ending to this book. Frankly, I have never read anything like it before and would love to be able to discuss it here, but alas this would wreck the experience of reading the book. Unique hardly describes it. Does it work? I think so, but lets not describe it too readily as “post-modern” – Coe’s literary device is unique to him and defies categorisation (I apologise to my readers for being obtuse, but can only encourage them to get their hands on this book so they can see what I mean).
Its not often I can say that a book has been a wholly satisfying read, but I found it very difficult to put this book down. It was another book which I raced through with no sense of boredom or tedium, and it passed my classic test of literary engagement – do I miss the characters when I’ve finished the book? Yes, I regretted Maxwell going forever out of my life when I turned the final page and would have liked to have found out what happened next.
Title: The Terrible Privacy of Maxwell Sim
Author: Jonathan Coe
Publication: Penguin Books Ltd (2010), Paperback, 352 pages
ISBN: 9780670918799
Newspaper reviews:
Jeremy Paxman in The Guardian
I’ve heard of Coe, but have never read him. You sound really inspired by this one which rather inspires me. The ending bit is frustrating on blogs – I’m not sure yet on what I think about all this. I’d like to be able to write properly about the book rather than do a traditional review but I guess that’s not what most people expect is it?
I enjoyed Jonathan Coe’s earlier novels a great deal and am glad you liked this new one – it seems an excellent read again. As soon as the paperback version is out I am going to buy it.
sounds like a return to from for Coe ,i ve loved some of his other books and been dissappointed by others ,he is a huge fan of B S Johnson wrote his bio so know he fan of post modern tom ,think i ll get this ,plus love vertigo inspired cover ,all the best stu
It is great to see such a positive review, Tom. I am a Coe fan but, as Stu implies in his comment, his recent work has been disappointing. I certainly like both the premise and promise that are captured in your review (so I don’t even need to be pitched on the ending) and have placed an order. Thanks.
I recently came across Coe through a short story, so it goes on the list. Perhaps there will be a sequel?
Well, I think he’s a pretty good writer – perhaps not quite “literary fiction” but very good entertainment and plenty to make you think. Thanks for visiting
Hi Kevin, well, I think he’s been pretty consistent. The Rotters Club was very well received, and I think this one will be too. Very “English” and I would think the latent humour may not appeal to everyone. Thanks for visiting
Oh yes, I’ve heard of B S Johnson but never read him. What should I start with? Definitely post-modern, but I think Coe has his own take on that!
Thanks for visiting – I think he’s a pretty good writer and it quite unique – nobody writes quite like him. Definitely a touch of humour here too, which I rather enjoy.
Thanks for visiting. There’s so much I would have written if I’d not been worried about spoiling the book. The end is so remarkable that it deserves a post on its own – drawing comparisons with other books where the author appears in his own book (enough!).
I’ve read The Winshaw Legacy by Coe, but nothing else. However, I’m thinking that is going to soon change considering your enthusiastic review of this book – sounds brilliant! I’ll definitely be going out to buy this one.
Nadia – thanks for visiting. Well, I think its pretty good, but that I’m rather a Coe fan. Hope you like it.
I really really want to read this book – so I’ve deliberately not read your review fully. I’ve been a huge fan of Coe’s for years so I’m glad this one lives up to expectations.
Interesting. I’ve read What a Carve Up which I enjoyed (though I preferred Iain Banks’ Complicity which covers very similar territory) but nothing else. My wife’s read that and The House of Sleep and enjoyed both. The Rotters’ Club somehow didn’t appeal, this sounds more interesting though.
I do wonder at the ending, of course I’ll need to read it to find out but I have a nervousness of PoMo twists. Still, you do give it a remarkably high score.
Hm, I’ll take a look when it hits paperback. Interesting review, thanks. Oh, and I like your link to newspaper reviews feature, it’s a helpful touch.
Max, thanks for visiting. The ending is a sort of twist on pomo, but I think Coe would prefer to see it as clever end rather than anything pretentious. I’m really sorry I can’t write about it, but it would totally wreck the book. I think its 5.5 stars on readability alone, although perhaps its not as “literary” as some.
Annabel (gaskelly) Thanks for visiting – I think those who like Coe will really appreciate this book. I just hope I’ve not over-egged it!
Well, I’m intrigued. Haven’t read anything by Coe but will add this to my wishlist. Great review.
Kinna Reads – thanks for visiting! Its a great book, very readable
I loved the ending, and would be very interested to read your thoughts on it.
Chris – I’m not sure my thoughts are worth more than anyone elses, but I’m rather scared of spoiling them for others. However, the “meet the author” scenario is not unique to Coe and is generally thought of as “post modern”. Look it up on Wikipedia and you’ll see what I mean