3.5*

While I found Jonathan Cecil's narration excellent, this sequel to Sharpe's "Porterhouse Blue" was less hilarious especially towards the end. ( )

While I found Jonathan Cecil's narration excellent, this sequel to Sharpe's "Porterhouse Blue" was less hilarious especially towards the end. ( )

Being its sequel, Grantchester Grind follows on straight from where Porterhouse Blue finished. It is neither as amusing or as clever as the earlier book, though it is recognisably of the same ilk. For someone who read and enjoyed the earlier book it might be worth reading, however other readers would be better avoiding this and choosing the earlier book instead. ( )

The sequel to "Porterhouse Blue". With a new master, Scullion, now in charge and doubts still surrounding the death of the late Master, more unspeakably awful goings-on are inevitable at Cambridge's most disreputable college.

Whilst I enjoyed re-reading Porterhouse Blue, I didn't find this sequel, written some 21 years later, much fun. The satire has turned into old man’s state-of-England bitterness, the plot is rather clumsily stuck together, with all sorts of lines that don't go anywhere, and there are relatively few good jokes. If you insist on Cambridge backstabbing and deviant sexual practices, you're much better off reading Simon Raven, who at least manages to be amusing when he’s old and bitter. ( )