Reviews

Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis

winnimartha's review against another edition

4.0

A small, funny novel about Jim Dixon, a hapless and altogether mediocre man who stumbles from one social misstep to the next, all while trying to impress dotty old Professor Welch and keep a job he doesn't particularly like.

Jim's inability to manage anything properly contrasts humorously with the other characters and culminates in

Spoiler

a disastrous public lecture where, with the help of alcohol, he spontaneously displays his contempt for his colleagues for all to see.

While Jim's journey to freedom from the pompous Welches is by no means smooth or even intentional, the novel's conclusion is very satisfying to anyone who's ever dreamed about shaking off social graces and obligations to hated bureaucracies.

sminismoni's review

3.0

I really appreciated the ironic humour in this book, and its cynical view of academia. On quite a few occasions I did find myself laughing out loud. In the end I could only give it 3 stars because I couldn't really bring myself to care about what happened to Dixon. For me the book dragged on (perhaps this was supposed to reflect the protagonist's predicament) and I was bored reading it.

kevinmccarrick's review

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

mcleary's review against another edition

4.0

Cracking good read. Comedy has not dated. Still hilarious.

annettelee's review

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

dianajj's review

2.0

Not particularly funny. It has not aged well.

patsmith139's review

2.0

Is this really regarded as one of the greatest novels of the 20th century? I have no idea why. I didn't find it hilariously funny and left no real impression on me at all.

pageswithpenny's review

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

iris_garden's review

funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

summera's review

funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0