Nicholls, David *1966
Starter for Ten, 2003 - aka A Question of Attraction - Information about the Book
- General Information | Facts | Author | Commentary | Reviews | Explanations
- General Information
- The novel chronicles the misadventures of student Brian Jackson in his first year at an unnamed university.
- Information from Wikipedia
- While Nicholls has stated that the story is not directly autobiographical, he acknowledges that it draws heavily from his memories of being a young adult. For instance, the novel reflects his feelings of uncertainty, social awkwardness, and the struggle to find one’s place in new environments, which he describes as “very personal and real” experiences from his own life.
The university setting in the book and subsequent adaptations is inspired by Nicholls’ time studying drama and English at Bristol University.
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- Facts
- University Life and Class Divide
The novel explores Brian's experience navigating the class divide between his working-class background and the privileged backgrounds of his university peers. As a state school student on scholarship, Brian feels out of place among the wealthier students and grapples with finding his place.University Challenge Quiz Show
A central plot point is Brian's long-held ambition, inspired by his late father, to appear on the popular TV quiz show University Challenge. He tries out for and makes the university team, with their first televised match being a major event in the story.Coming-of-Age and Romance
The novel is a classic coming-of-age tale as Brian experiences the freedoms and challenges of university life. He develops a crush on his teammate Alice Harbinson, an upper-class student, exploring themes of unrequited love and social divides.1980s Britain Setting
The novel is set in 1985 Britain during the era of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's government. This backdrop of 1980s culture, politics, and the prevalence of University Challenge on TV is woven throughout the story.In summary, Starter for Ten covers Brian's personal growth, the class tensions of 1980s Britain, the competitive world of the University Challenge quiz show, and the romantic entanglements that ensue, all told with humor and keen observations about university life.
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- "Starter for Ten" has generally been well-received by readers and critics alike. The book is often praised for its humor, wit, and relatable characters.
Many readers appreciate the book's sharp and witty humor. Nicholls is known for his ability to blend humor with more poignant moments, creating a balanced narrative that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Overall, "Starter for Ten" is often seen as an engaging and entertaining novel that combines humor with more serious reflections on youth and personal growth. It holds a special place for those who enjoy character-driven stories set against the backdrop of university life and 1980s culture.
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- Reader Rating:
- Author
- David Nicholls talks about the novel
- Talk about the novel. Host: Hans Fischer. SwissEduc; March 17, 2006
- Explanation of the incident when Mr. Harbinson's cap flies out. SwissEduc; March 17, 2006
- Title. SwissEduc; March 16, 2006
- Commentary
- David Nicholls’ "Starter for Ten" is a witty and poignant coming-of-age novel set in 1985, following Brian Jackson, a working-class student navigating his first year at university. Obsessed with general knowledge and the TV quiz show University Challenge, Brian’s dream of joining the team becomes a metaphor for his yearning to fit into a world far removed from his humble roots. His infatuation with the glamorous Alice Harbinson and budding connection with the principled Rebecca Epstein highlight his romantic missteps and personal growth.
The novel deftly explores themes of class disparity, self-discovery, and the awkwardness of youth. Brian’s struggle to reconcile his working-class background with the privileged university culture is both humorous and heartfelt. Nicholls captures the era’s social dynamics with sharp prose and relatable characters, making it a nostalgic yet timeless read. Balancing comedy with emotional depth, Starter for Ten offers an entertaining reflection on ambition, identity, and the bittersweet lessons of growing up.
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- Reviews
- Review: "The heavy dialogue signature to Nicholls style makes for an addictive read." Sarah Louise; April 6, 2014
- Explanations
- Geek is the word: "The novel is a romp, highly readable, with nice observations." The Guardian; October 12, 2003
- General Information from Prezi