As much as I adore Raven Smith and his genius ability to lay out a generation bare like no other, this read as an intense stream of conscious that as each chapter ended left me feeling frazzled. I think each essay was too jam-packed and it made it difficult to get to the core of them all. It started off well and the first couple chapters I specifically liked but I got bored. I’m looking forward to more work by him and I love his voice but I think the cultural commentary in this style works better as a snappy column.

Thanks to Netgalley, 4th Estate and William Collins for the complimentary copy of this book.

It’s brilliantly written and so wryly funny. It’s the first book in months that’s made me full on belly laugh (FYI, a risky book if you’re reading while eating lunch.) The book is peppered with cultural references and relatable anecdotes throughout. If you’re big on pop culture (so many song lyrics, and film references cleverly woven throughout the book), you’ll love this. Also, I feel like if you’re of a certain age (or a Millennial) who grew up in the UK it will make you laugh. Early on in the book, Raven makes a (light hearted) reference to being the “voice of a generation”, and I think he hit the nail on the head.

Genuinely one of the best books I’ve read in ages; feel like it would resonate well with fans of similar writers like Joel Golby. Absolutely loved this, didn’t want it to end. Hope this won’t be Raven’s only book!

Really disappointed by this book. Hilarious in parts but the chapters meander so much it’s hard to keep track of where his thoughts are going. Style over substance, I think but maybe that’s his MO?