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One of those books that makes you realise that great authors are considered great for a reason. A fairly simple comedy - perhaps it was more unusual when first published - but still full of good ideas, characters and action. I only felt it had lost its way once or twice, which is so much better than many books.

A very strange trip through the 20th Century and its intellectuals. I admit to not knowing details of most of the players, but those whose stories and contributions I did know are captured perfectly. Possibly a bit too much tennis for me…

Some ideas here, but in dire need of better editing. Too many meanderings, too much poor phrasing, too many stereotypes. The last chapter does nothing but set up for a sequel. Sigh. I finished it only because I fell for the Sunk Cost Fallacy (and I hoped it would get better).

An action-and-idea-packed book, which certainly kept me reading. Probably a few too many ideas, to be honest: some of them could have done with a little more development. I would have given it 4 stars (which to me means "would recommend"), but had to deduct a bit. A very solid 3. Not as strong as Suddain's later book.

Short stories full of the non sequiturs one gets in dreams, set against a backdrop of terrible war. Normally I don’t like “dream sequence that reveals a deeper meaning”, but here it works. A genuinely different voice and setting. We’ll worth a read

There was much promise in this: a slice of life from the past, a slice of life from England, some cold war high jinks. But somehow it failed to deliver on that promise. Easy to read, though. Just probably not one I'd actively recommend to anyone unfamiliar (hence the 3 stars: ok, not great)