Coe's second novel (after The Accidental Woman). An early example of a still not fully crafted talent, where some of his subsequent mordant wit is already on display. The Dwarves of Death does feel somewhat of its time. No one young reading this might appreciate what a phone card was, but it captures nonetheless the challenges and joys of coming of age, especially in a city like London, as foreign and exciting for a naive from the north of England. I certainly did not see the ending coming and was kept engaged throughout this short read. Magnus Mills, I feel, was probably indebted to this book, seven and a half out of ten.
By Jonathan Coe