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Room at the Top - Joe Lampton by John Braine
Room at the Top
Book 1 in the series:Joe Lampton

'Room at the Top' by John Braine is a post-war novel that follows the story of Joe Lampton, a young and ambitious ex-serviceman from a modest background who moves to the affluent town of Warley to pursue a career in local government. The book delves into Joe's social ambitions, romantic entanglements with two women - Susan and Alice, and his relentless pursuit of success and social status. Set in a time of social mobility challenges and societal constraints, the novel explores themes of class, ambition, love, and the impact of war experiences through a flawed first-person narrative.

Braine's writing style in 'Room at the Top' is described as cynical, realistic, and compelling, offering a detailed portrayal of post-war northern England with a mix of romance, tragedy, comedy, and social commentary. The narrative is known for its dispassionate tone even in the face of dramatic events, and the characters, especially Joe Lampton, are depicted with flaws and complexities that reflect the societal norms and challenges of the time.

If you liked Room at the Top, here are the top 10 books to read next:

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Showing 1 - 10 of 10 
  1. #1

    King Solomon's Carpet by Barbara Vine
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    'King Solomon's Carpet' by Barbara Vine is a psychological thriller that revolves around a group of misfits drawn together by Jarvis Stringer, an eccentric man with an obsession for underground transit systems. The plot unfolds slowly, focusing on deep characterizations, human flaws, and the interactions among the characters. The story is set against the backdrop of the London Underground, with elements of mystery, manipulation, and unexpected relationships.

    A great many things that other people did all the time she had never done. These were the ordinary things from which she had been protected by her money and her ill-health. She had never used an iron ...

  2. #2

    Myron by Gore Vidal
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    The sequel to the bestseller"Myra Breckinridge."

    ...

  3. #3

    Washington, D.C. - Narratives of Empire by Gore Vidal
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    "Washington, D.C." by Gore Vidal is a historical novel set in the last years of FDR's presidency through that of Truman, focusing on the lives of politicians and the intersection of politics and the press in Washington DC. The story revolves around powerful conservative senator James Burden Day, his ambitious assistant Clay Overbury, and the wealthy publisher Blaise Sanford and his children. The novel delves into the personal lives and political ambitions of these characters, portraying a backdrop of real historical events with Vidal's signature humor, cynicism, and interesting storytelling style. offers a glimpse into a lesser-explored period of American history through a narrative filled with intrigue and complex relationships.

    The storm broke over the house. Rain fell in dark diagonals across the summer lawn. An abrupt wind bent willow trees, tore sumac, shook elms. The storm’s center was now so near that the flash of light...

    (Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Narratives of Empire )

  4. #4

    Mr Norris Changes Trains by Christopher Isherwood
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    Mr Norris Changes Trains by Christopher Isherwood is a novel set in early 1930s Berlin, following the friendship between William Bradshaw and the enigmatic Arthur Norris. The story delves into the complex character of Mr. Norris, a member of the communist party with mysterious disappearances and fluctuating finances, as he introduces Bradshaw to the murky side of Berlin. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a city on the edge, with the looming influence of the Nazis and the decadence of the Weimar era characters.

    My first impression was that the stranger’s eyes were of an unusually light blue. They met mine for several blank seconds, vacant, unmistakably scared. Startled and innocently naughty, they half remin...

  5. #5

    Nothing Like the Sun by Anthony Burgess
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    'Nothing Like the Sun' by Anthony Burgess is a fictionalized account of William Shakespeare's love life, focusing on three main infatuations he had - a youthful crush named Anne, a gay relationship with his noble patron, the Earl of Southampton, and an obsessive attachment to a dark lady. The narrative style mirrors the English spoken during the Elizabethan Age, offering a unique insight into Shakespeare's personal relationships and the societal norms of the time. Burgess weaves a tale of romance, politics, and class divisions set against the backdrop of late 16th century England, capturing the rawness and brutality of the era with rich, evocative language.

    A Good Friday, sure. ’77? ’78? ’79? WS, stripling, in worn tight doublet, patched cloak, but gloves very new. Beardless, the down on his cheek gold in the sun, the hair auburn, the eyes a spaniel’s ey...

  6. #6

    Ravelstein by Saul Bellow
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    'Ravelstein' by Saul Bellow is a novel that delves into the complex friendship between the characters Ravelstein and Chick, mirroring the real-life relationship between the author and philosopher Allan Bloom. The book explores themes of mortality, friendship, intellectual ideas, and cultural identity, while providing a fictionalized account of Bloom's life and legacy. Through a mix of narrative, philosophical musings, and character insights, Bellow creates a rich and engaging portrayal of these larger-than-life personalities and their intersecting worlds.

    Odd that mankind’s benefactors should be amusing people. In America at least this is often the case. Anyone who wants to govern the country has to entertain it. During the Civil War people complained ...

  7. #7

    Fellow Travelers by Thomas Mallon
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    Fellow Travelers by Thomas Mallon is a historical fiction novel set during the McCarthy era in the 1950s, focusing on a clandestine affair between two male government staffers, Tim Laughlin and Hawk Fuller. The novel delves into the personal struggles and secrets of various characters amidst the backdrop of the red scare and the lavender scare. Mallon's writing style intricately weaves together the love story between Tim and Hawk with the political intricacies of the Eisenhower era, providing a poignant exploration of the consequences of conformity and the intertwining of personal and political lives.


  8. #8

    A Dead Man in Deptford by Anthony Burgess
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    Anthony Burgess expertly crafts a spy novel in 'A Dead Man in Deptford', painting Christopher Marlowe as a central figure in the art of reason. Set in Elizabethan England, the book delves into Marlowe's life and death, exploring his controversial plays, reputed atheism, and espionage activities. Burgess's use of Elizabethan Early Modern English and dialogue-heavy style immerses readers in Marlowe's world, while his meticulous research offers a compelling examination of the enigmatic playwright's legacy.

    I see, reading the above above the rim of my raised alemug, that I am in danger of falling into the dangerous orbit of the playman Jack Marston and being betrayed into use of the most reprehensible in...

  9. #9

    Earthly Powers by Anthony Burgess
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    Earthly Powers is a mammoth novel structured around the life of Kenneth Toomey, a popular novelist and world traveler who becomes entangled in complex and often inexplicable relationships. The book weaves through the ups and downs of arts, culture, war, and peace in the ungodly world of the twentieth century. Through a series of erudite dialogues and cutting wit, Burgess delves into the major theological and aesthetic questions of the time, exploring themes of good and evil, freedom, morality, and the nature of true moral choice.

    The narrative follows Toomey's outrageous cultural, religious, literary, and sexual adventures among real and fictitious figures of the modern age. The book delves into profound messages about love, respect, and inhumanity, offering a multi-layered story full of mysteries and reflections on human behavior, fate, and morality.

    "The point is, Father," I said, "that I shall never have any hope of making a good act of contrition. Not until the urge fails, or libido, as some call it. And why, for that matter, should I have to b...

  10. #10

    A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
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    'A Clockwork Orange' by Anthony Burgess is a dystopian novel that delves into the themes of free will, societal control, violence, and morality. The book follows the story of Alex, a violent teenager who undergoes a forced transformation in exchange for his freedom, leading to profound changes in his life. The narrative is told through a unique and inventive Slavic English hybrid language filled with its own slang, challenging readers to decode and immerse themselves in Alex's world of gang violence and societal manipulation.

    The book presents a bleak view of the future where society is threatened by both criminal gangs and a controlling government. Through the character of Alex, Burgess explores the concepts of good and evil, human freedom, and the consequences of societal interventions in shaping individuals. The narrative is vivid, cruel, and evocative, with a compelling philosophical idea that questions the nature of choice and obedience in human behavior.

    There was me, that is Alex, and my three droogs, that is Pete, Georgie, and Dim, Dim being really dim, and we sat in the Korova Milkbar making up our rassoodocks what to do with the evening, a flip da...

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