While I read this without the full appreciation of its context - it isn't the 1950's, I'm not English, a war veteran or suffering (much) from class issue - it is still a glorious book and a fun read. "Lucky Jim" tells the story of a 1st year professor in an English university struggling against his varying levels of boredom and displeasure in with his job, topic, peers, senior professors and faculty, girlfriend (for lack of a better term) and his overall lot in life.
While the context might not be as applicable today as it was when it was written, there is still a lot to like and sympathise with about Jim. He struggles to get a head and succeed in job he doesn't like but needs (in part because he can't do much else), impress bosses he doesn't like, struggles in his relationship with coworkers and neighbors he can't stand, he is just like us (or me at times). Throw in his hilarious fights with the artist son of his Department Head boss and it was all I needed to dive right in and make the push to the end as quickly as possible. he drinks, he smokes, he grouses silently about his dimwitted boss, he plots against his annoying neighbor, he struggles with his suicidal girlfriend and then repeats it all over and over. What more can you ask for.
Read it folks and enjoy. I did.
Book can be found here (not where I got it)
http://www.amazon.com/Lucky-Penguin-Classics-Kingsley-Amis/dp/0140186301/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233197845&sr=1-1
6 down, 94 to go. Finished 1/28/2009
This post was written listening to "Sweet Oblivion" by The Screaming Trees & "Twice Upon A Time - The Singles" by Siouxsie & The Banshees
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