Brian Jackson: The protagonist, an intelligent but socially awkward young man from a working-class background who gets accepted into Bristol University and becomes determined to join the "University Challenge" team.

Rebecca Epstein: A fellow student at Bristol University, she is politically active and becomes one of Brian's friends. She is also Brian's love interest.

Alice Harbinson: Another student and member of the "University Challenge" team, Alice is beautiful and upper-class, and Brian is infatuated with her.

Spencer: Brian's best friend from home, who shares his working-class background and provides a contrast to Brian's new university life.

Tone: Another of Brian's friends from home, who is supportive but somewhat crude and less academically inclined.

Patrick Watts: The arrogant and self-assured captain of the "University Challenge" team, who often clashes with Brian.

Mr. Jackson: Brian's father, who passed away when Brian was young but whose memory and influence play a significant role in Brian's life and motivations.

Mrs. Jackson: Brian's mother, who is supportive of her son but also worried about his new life at university and the changes it brings.

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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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