Starter for Ten by David Nicholls
Published October 28, 2016

Book info
- Title
- Author David Nicholls
- Year
- Genres
Thoughts
I’ve been vaguely aware of this book and film for a while but never really got round to reading it. For some reason, the idea of University Challenge popped into my head and then I thought this would be the perfect book to go with it. I love how the book is structured, with a relevant question at the start of each chapter, and that it flows through a full term at university.
I loved the way it is intense and awkward, cringeworthy but believable, full of heart but also just a little bit obsessive creepy - all the things that sum up your teenage years, I think. There was plenty of humour in there, but tinged with a dark side as well.
My only complaint, in fact, is that I felt like there could have been more aftermath. So much build up, and then the thing happened and it was done and he moved and that was it. I would have liked to know more about the repercussions, about what the doctor said, about what it was that actually made him start to feel better. But maybe there’s enough there for a sequel.
Rating: Unrated