Alan Sillitoe was an integral part of the Angry Young Men movement of the fifties that focused on its authentic depiction of real working class people. This book is true to their ideals in its raw sharp writing of the story of a young man framed by his brutal experience in the army and as a factory worker. Fueled by a bleak, aggressive outlook on life, the book centers around a boozy, philandering weekend which is graphically captured by Sillitoe’s clever prose and Linus Roache’s strong reading.
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"A great look into the life of a member of working class England during the 1950s. Arthur Seaton is a slick character, efficient in his work at the factory, never one to turn down a pint, and skillful when wooing members of the opposite sex. However, the final two character traits do get Arthur into trouble on more than one occasion. A great book and a quick read, and though stories surrounding the life of the working class can ebb toward the depressing, Arthur's story ends on a high note."
— Ryan (4 out of 5 stars)
“One of the best English writers of the day.”
— New York Times Book Review“Brilliant…Sillitoe has assured himself a place in the history of the English novel.”
— New Yorker“That rarest of all finds: a genuine no-punches-pulled, unromanticized working class novel. Mr. Sillitoe is a born writer, who knows his milieu and describes it with vivid, loving precision.”
— Daily Telegraph“Sillitoe’s account of the rebellious young factory-fodder hero Arthur Seaton was timely when first published…It is timeless now.”
— Guardian (London)" Great working class novel about the struggle of working and a life that consists of drinking to pass the time and chasing women before it's back to work at the same old grind on Monday morning. "
— Tommy, 2/10/2014" Considering the somewhat chauvinistic perspective carried throughout the book by the main character, Arthur, it was more Sillitoe's style of writing that appealed to me throughout the book as opposed to the storyline itself. Great read.. no beating around the bush in this one! My first Sillitoe novel to date, and I intend on increasing that number. "
— Emma, 2/5/2014" Maybe the classic of its kind, the musings of an angry young man and how his grinding existence is made worthwhile by weekends. Which is pretty hard not to identify with, even forty years after it was written. "
— Derek, 2/1/2014" This was a cracker. A bona fide work of blue-collar existentialism, full of unrefined rebellion and working class whit. I generally don't go for this kind of stuff - English novels about the working classes always make me feel a tad claustrophobic and/or depressed - but this had a real and palpable energy to it. Yes, it does have the slightly ragged feel of a first novel but that's part of what makes it great. "
— Owain, 1/28/2014" Despite not being very nice men, Arthur Seaton, Gordon Comstock and Michael Cullen are all saved by the love of a good woman. "
— Paperback, 1/28/2014" british rebel without a cause. the accented speech was a little slow going but otherwise, a good book. "
— Andrew, 1/23/2014" Re-read again for MA seminar - it really isn't that good. More of a historical document "
— Bruce, 1/20/2014" brilliant. Biased though as I live in nottingham. Arthur Seaton a realistic character I'm sure many can relate to "
— Kc, 1/16/2014" One of the first 'kitchen sink' books I read in the late 60s when I was a teenager. Sillitoe's prose is great and a big influence. His stories are perhaps even better. "
— Alan, 1/8/2014" If you don't want to read the whole thing (which you really should want to do), at least read the first paragraph. The movie (with a young an dastardly Albert Finney) was also brilliant...beautifully filmed. Depressing as all hell, though. "
— Matt, 1/6/2014" Remains to this day one of my favourite books, which captures the changing circumstances of working class aspiration after the war and leading to a period of cultural openness for young people. "
— John, 1/4/2014" Really well done look into the mind of a working class man. The atmosphere is well created too. "
— Lindsay, 11/27/2013" A good reflection of the state of societies' inhabitants (especially the young men) after the devastating effects of WW2 - a jolly good read "
— Hannah, 3/8/2013" One of those books that sums up an era for me "
— Jem, 3/3/2013" Tremendously evocative portrait of working class British life. Arthur Seaton is held back by the boundries of his factory town, so he uses his time at the pub to distract him. "
— Jnagle4, 1/8/2013" Black and Tan swillin' blokes is where it's at! gin-soaked abortions and falling down the stairs at the Publick? Yes, please! "
— Jared, 10/3/2012" In my top 5 lifetime reads. This guy gets it. This is a magnificent work. People with Sillitoes background arent supposed to write BOOKS, they are meant to be educated just enough to follow simple written instructions and consume propaganda. "
— Steve, 7/7/2012" Had to read this for my English course, not a bad book, although I couldn't make myself care enough about the characters to get really involved. Worth a read and I would be interested in reading the follow-up book, 'Birthday'. "
— Kate, 5/22/2012" There are more homemade abortion tricks in here than you can shake a stick at! "
— Barbara, 5/17/2012" Nada destacable... "
— Aramys, 2/12/2012" This book made me want to drink a lot while reading it. "
— Laura, 2/13/2011" If you don't want to read the whole thing (which you really should want to do), at least read the first paragraph. The movie (with a young an dastardly Albert Finney) was also brilliant...beautifully filmed. Depressing as all hell, though. "
— Matt, 1/9/2011" Beautifully written with provactive but unromanticised language throughout and bleak realism. <br/> <br/>Easily one of my favourite characters, Arthur Seaton, is the embodiment of the 50s Teddy boy: angry, frustrated, laddish, nihilistic, hedonistic. "
— Nick, 12/23/2010" Really well done look into the mind of a working class man. The atmosphere is well created too. "
— Lindsay, 1/16/2010" Great working class novel about the struggle of working and a life that consists of drinking to pass the time and chasing women before it's back to work at the same old grind on Monday morning. "
— Tommy, 7/12/2009" Despite not being very nice men, Arthur Seaton, Gordon Comstock and Michael Cullen are all saved by the love of a good woman. "
— Paperback, 4/6/2009" Growing up British working class in the 50s. Reads like an American hardboiled detective novel, except it's not American and there's no detective. "
— Jon, 3/14/2009" One of the first 'kitchen sink' books I read in the late 60s when I was a teenager. Sillitoe's prose is great and a big influence. His stories are perhaps even better. "
— Alan, 12/16/2008" one of my first reads of contempory English fiction: an e´ntertainment... "
— kunkku, 12/11/2008" Black and Tan swillin' blokes is where it's at! gin-soaked abortions and falling down the stairs at the Publick? Yes, please! "
— Jared, 2/18/2008" Had to read this for my English course, not a bad book, although I couldn't make myself care enough about the characters to get really involved. Worth a read and I would be interested in reading the follow-up book, 'Birthday'. "
— Kate, 1/26/2008