Each house on Pepys Road, an ordinary street in London, has seen its fair share of first steps and last breaths, and plenty of laughter in between. But each of the street’s residents–a rich banker and his shopaholic wife, a soccer prodigy from Senegal, Pakistani shop owners, a dying old woman and her graffiti-artist son–is receiving a menacing postcard with a simple message: “We Want What You … You Have.” Who is behind this? What do they really want? In Capital, John Lanchester (“an elegant and wonderfully witty writer”–New York Times) delivers a warm and compassionate novel that captures the anxieties of our time–property values going up, fortunes going down, a potential terrorist around every corner–with an unforgettable cast of characters.
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One of the best books I’ve read this year. Great social commentary and character study written in a unique and impressive style. Highly recommended!
One of the most entertaining books I’ve read in a long time, Capital paints a salient and amusing picture of a gratifying cross section of London residents in the time just before the international banking crisis. Their struggles, aspirations, and personalities are written in a manner that makes all the characters knowable and highly realistic. …
It was hard to put down
Great characters. If you like to read about realistic characters set against the backdrop of real event, this is a book to read.
I listened to the Audible version.
I really tried to get into this book . . . several times. But sadly, I couldn’t and never finished the book. I constantly looked for the thread which would take me from one chapter to the next–maybe I simply missed it, but never actually found it. The note (spoiler alert) that everyone receives “We want what you have” certainly peaked one’s …
The character development was my favorite part of the book. Very entertaining, original, and we’ll done characters. The book is an enjoyable read even if I was disappointed by what happened to some of the characters–poor Freddie, for example–and ultimately perturbed by how the book’s big mystery was resolved.
The story is about a street in London before the 2008 crash and the lives of its residents, as well others connected to them or to the street. Some of the characters are compelling but there are too many of them and the author doesn’t develop them enough. I think the author was trying to write a modern-day version of The Way We Live Now, but that …
Kind of long and characters were not that interesting or deep, but I hate to put a book down once I start it.
Interesting about the lives of diverse people on are affected by one street in London
It makes the reader think about the lives of others different from oneself. Very interesting and informative about English social groups and also modern society. Story is told in an interesting way.
A half-dozen great stories woven together in a way that will make it impossible for you to put the book down. Wonderfully observed, beautifully written. Don’t be put off by its length; you’re actually reading a half-dozen terrific novellas.
So many characters drive the plot it takes a while to keep up but the premise is original and twists in many directions. Enjoyed immensely
Great characters, all with their own dramas occurring on the same street. The houses become characters as well. I highly recommend the book.