Universality

by Natasha Brown
Universality cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Literary Fiction
Technical
  • ID: 3899
  • Added: 2025-10-20
  • Updated: 2025-10-20
  • ISBN: 9781039057128
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2025-03-04
  • Reviews: 3

Late one night on a Yorkshire farm, a young man is nearly killed during an illegal rave, setting off a chain of events that an ambitious journalist must unravel. As she connects the dots between a corrupt banker, a provocative columnist, and an anarchist movement, her viral exposé raises more questions than answers, delving into the power and manipulation of language. The novel explores the complexities of truth and the impact of words, challenging readers to question what they believe and how they communicate. Through a voyeuristic lens, the story celebrates the force of language, both spectacular and appalling, in a thrilling and unsettling narrative.

Reviews
The Times Literary Supplement · Catherine Taylor · 2025-03-28
great 4.50

The reviewer admires the novel's nuanced exploration of truth and its impact on society, praising the author's skillful satire. They find the protagonist's journey compelling and thought-provoking.

Catherine Taylor highlights the novel's nuanced exploration of truth and its impact on society, noting the author's skillful use of satire. She finds the protagonist's journey particularly compelling, as it challenges the reader to think critically about the nature of truth and its consequences. The reviewer appreciates the novel's ability to blend humor and insight, making it a thought-provoking read. Taylor also praises the author's ability to tackle complex themes with precision and wit, making the novel a standout in contemporary literature.

Quick quotes

    A struggling freelance journalist who recently managed to climb out of the penurious doldrums of lockdown with a long read that went viral.

    Brown deploys her skilful satire to tackle rhetoric itself, examining with nuanced precision the relationship between truth and society.

    The novel's protagonist's journey is both compelling and thought-provoking.

The Guardian · 2025-03-23
brilliant 4.00

This novel is praised for its exploration of truth and storytelling, highlighting its clever examination of who benefits from the revelation of facts. The reviewer finds it a terrific follow-up to the author's previous work.

The reviewer appreciates how this novel delves into the complexities of truth and storytelling, offering a sharp critique of who gains from the exposure of facts. They highlight the author's skill in crafting a compelling narrative that challenges the reader's understanding of truth. The novel is seen as a terrific follow-up, showcasing the author's ability to tackle profound themes with nuance and insight. The reviewer also notes the novel's clever examination of the politics of storytelling, making it a standout in contemporary literature.

Quick quotes

    A terrific second novel from the British author of Assembly examines what it means to be truthful – and who really benefits when facts come to light.

    Cutting through the noise, it reveals British society.

    This follow-up to Assembly is a twisty, slippery story of media, class, power and truth.

The Irish Times · 2025-03-22
excellent 4.20

The novel is commended for its sharp satire and insightful analysis of social relationships. The reviewer finds it both enlightening and entertaining, appreciating the author's nuanced exploration of complex themes.

The reviewer commends the novel for its sharp satire and insightful analysis of social relationships, finding it both enlightening and entertaining. They appreciate the author's nuanced exploration of complex themes, such as the nature of truth and the dynamics of power. The novel is seen as a compelling read that challenges the reader to think critically about contemporary society. The reviewer also notes the author's skill in blending humor and insight, making the novel a thought-provoking and enjoyable experience. Overall, the novel is praised for its ability to tackle profound themes with wit and precision.

Quick quotes

    Brown's novel is strongest and most compelling in its sharp analysis of social relationships, of the ways in which we understand and fail to understand one another.

    The novel deploys skilful satire to tackle rhetoric itself, examining with nuanced precision the relationship between truth and society.

    A compelling read that challenges the reader to think critically about contemporary society.

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