On 11 Feb 2024, I finished reading The Penguin Twentieth Century Classics publication of "Lucky Jim" by Kingsley Amis. It was first published in 1954; so about 50 years after the last book I read "The White Peacock". I will note that there is a part in there about attempting suicide so I feel compelled to put that as a "trigger warning" so to speak. This one it seems is about 50 years after TWP and still over in England as far as the setting. This one takes place at a university where our lucky guy is apparently trying to become a Professor of History. . . who doesn't like History, right? I have read a LOT of history and even taught US history for a spell.

This is a story about relationships and finding the right one for you really. If you find the right one for you but she is with another, do you "stay off the grass" or engage in a pseudo-war with the person the one who is right for you is with until either you or the other ends up with the one you think is meant for you? And how much do you do in that regard when the rival is somehow connected to your career? If you like that kind of story, you will like this book. I thought the book was good. I enjoyed the collegiate setting and one of the issues the author pointed out seems to be a timely topic today actually.

The book, if you read the back is supposed to be funny. It is a little bit at parts in some of the scenes; but it is no where near as funny as a book I read called "Three Men in a Boat." Sarcasm? yes there seems to be a bit of that in there and snarky inner thoughts as the narrator progresses. But I wouldn't class it in the 'funny' category. There were some pretty comical schemes carried out by Jim. Maybe some you have even participated in or tried before!

Probably the most colorful character in the book was Margaret who is a teacher at the university who is not very attractive but very flirty as she will sit close upon you, let her legs touch yours, as she lets her velvet shoe dangle off her pretty foot; but she is an emotional wreck (or is she a neurotic and manipulative woman to avoid? I will leave that for you to find out). The author through her expresses the idea of how much good looks are important for a woman in society. For other than her legs which were her best feature, she was not really attractive and wore too much (and the wrong color) makeup.

The conflict in the story is ok as it is regarding the two rivals for one pretty young lady and just the overall struggle of the young man Jim as he struggles with his career and his relationships between the two women, with his rival, and his boss's family especially after a quite embarassing drunken incident. So that part of the book was good. There is a debate in there as to the meaning of "settling" for someone as well which was an interesting little back and forth.

Why did I say it was just good? I guess because the 'funny' parts were not all that funny. It was enjoyable; just a kind of low key read I thought. Now I am off to another DH Lawrence booked called "The Rainbow" and will be starting that today.