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tombennett72's review against another edition
3.0
The premise of this book is a very interesting one, and it's very definitely a book that makes you think.
I'm not sure whether it's about class, or social mobility. I think that both of those topics are big enough for a book of their own.
I'm very glad to have read this, it was useful and helpful. Having grown up as an expat I'm sort of half in / half out on the class thing.
It was, though, a huge relief to get to the end. The book is intelligent and well argued. But it goes on and on - like a well meaning, impassioned, relative with one too many chardonays on board at the lunch table.
Good book, some great, intelligent arguments.
And ranty. But probably worth it.
I'm not sure whether it's about class, or social mobility. I think that both of those topics are big enough for a book of their own.
I'm very glad to have read this, it was useful and helpful. Having grown up as an expat I'm sort of half in / half out on the class thing.
It was, though, a huge relief to get to the end. The book is intelligent and well argued. But it goes on and on - like a well meaning, impassioned, relative with one too many chardonays on board at the lunch table.
Good book, some great, intelligent arguments.
And ranty. But probably worth it.
mrs_bonaventure's review against another edition
5.0
Very readable and therefore I got through it faster than I expected, but also I found a lot in common in terms of life experiences - background and trajectory - so it was gripping, and deeply thought provoking. I've always had the sense of running away from my upbringing to a better life of my own making, and in more recent years been aware of the rift that creates with the past and the people in it. This book makes explicit the emotional divide inherent in those choices..
It also exposes the structural inequalities that mean those who do "make it" are the exceptions in terms of social mobility, not the proof of success the Thatcher and Blair governments wanted us to believe. The ability to live a full life, that is, to fulfil personal potential, is still impossible for large sections of society for entirely unjustifiable reasons. I say that having a strong sense of drive and determination and so the individualistic way to look at this would be that if you have enough will/ hard work/ whatever, you can still succeed, but the fact is the majority of working class kids and people have to struggle against far harder odds than those already born into middle class privilege, and I don't just mean money although clearly that's very important. It's the "backwards in high heels" problem (deriving from the analogy about Fred & Ginger - she did everything he did, but backwards and in high heels) showing that often for underprivileged groups, often women but it applies to class too - to reach the same goals you have to struggle through additional, multiple disadvantages.
Mainly it made me angry.
It also exposes the structural inequalities that mean those who do "make it" are the exceptions in terms of social mobility, not the proof of success the Thatcher and Blair governments wanted us to believe. The ability to live a full life, that is, to fulfil personal potential, is still impossible for large sections of society for entirely unjustifiable reasons. I say that having a strong sense of drive and determination and so the individualistic way to look at this would be that if you have enough will/ hard work/ whatever, you can still succeed, but the fact is the majority of working class kids and people have to struggle against far harder odds than those already born into middle class privilege, and I don't just mean money although clearly that's very important. It's the "backwards in high heels" problem (deriving from the analogy about Fred & Ginger - she did everything he did, but backwards and in high heels) showing that often for underprivileged groups, often women but it applies to class too - to reach the same goals you have to struggle through additional, multiple disadvantages.
Mainly it made me angry.
themorsecode's review against another edition
4.0
Very well written; part memoir, part cultural-studies investigation into class. Some keen parallels with what Hanley states and the recent US election coverage. Feel her emphasis on Bourdieu's concept of Cultural Capital is important too and often overlooked. Good read!
jojobear's review against another edition
3.0
Fairly good until the last couple of chapters where she starts on a very strange unconnected rant about how much she hates Oasis and loves The Beatles.
lenin_lover_69's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.5