Will try another book by this author, but the humor of this one struck me as mean-spirited somehow, so I didn’t read beyond the first 50 pages. Just not what I was in the mood for, with all that is happening in the world, I guess.

Howard Jacobson's latest novel is about two nonagenarians who find unexpected new life when they find each other.

They couldn't be more different; Shimi, a most private bachelor, forgets nothing and ruminates relentlessly over every shameful transgression that's ever occurred in his life, whereas Beryl, who has left multiple lovers in her wake over the decades, cares little of what anyone thinks of her but is infuriated at her increasing forgetfulness of words. She's delighted that for the first time she's met a man who realises he has flaws, while he's delighted to have met someone who doesn't mind.

The pair only cross paths in the last third of the book, which is a shame. The first two thirds didn't overly work for me. Having heard Jacobson talk about this book, he described Beryl as the character he's had most fun with ever, but the humour in the first part of the book felt too try-hard. Beryl's a privileged white old lady who's constantly making sardonic colonial-esque quips at the expense of her African and Eastern European carers, and whilst the joke was on her and her ignorance rather than condoning racism it just felt wrong time for these types of remarks. The story wasn't going anywhere beyond her constant sharp tongue, and equally Shimi's story wasn't pulling me in.

Once the pair become friends the book shifted up a gear and became much more enjoyable. Through their meeting of minds we discover hidden depth to Beryl, and there's plenty of gallows humour between the two as Beryl encourages Shimi out of his shell of shame, and he in turn brings new light to her life.

3 stars - an enjoyable last 100 pages, but I can't forgive a book taking for taking too long to reel me in. ( )

Honestly, terrible. When one of the blurbs compared it to Roth, that person must have meant both "navel-gazing" and "so casually misogynistic you'll tear your hair out." ( )