Bright Young Things wanted for Big Project.
They're in the prime of their lives but these bright young things are all burned out. Six sparkly twenty-somethings just past university and working dead-end jobs, they are bored to tears with their lives and looking for a way out. When a mysterious job is advertised in the newspaper, they all apply.
What they least expect is to find themselves prisoners on a deserted island. There's food in the fridge and they have a bedroom each, but there's no telephone, no television - and no way to escape.
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I read Bright Young Things on the strength of The End of Mr Y which was the first book I reviewed on this blog. The End of Mr Y was truly amazing and I instantly knew that I must read another novel by Scarlett Thomas. I liked the mystery surrounding the blurb and was intrigued how a job interview could lead to imprisonment. I also liked the idea of them having no telephones or television, and being completely cut off from the outside world.
I loved the writing style, it flowed so fluidly that before I knew it I'd read twenty pages. I became completely immersed in the story and would lose all sense of time. The characters were all well written and I loved their strong individual personalities. Another element that I thought was a great addition was the fact that although they were all 'Bright Young Things' none of them had it all together. They all had achieved the same stunning academic standards but none of them felt satisfied with the lives they had. It gave the book a great sense of realism which was a joy to read as many people feel you leave university and instantly land a dream job which is in fact rarely true.
The thing I enjoyed most about this book was the references it made to entertainment and life in the year 2000. I was eighteen at that time so a little younger than the characters in this book but it totally worked for me. I felt like I was talking to old friends, I knew exactly what they meant, who they were talking about, what song they loved or hated and which storylines they were discussing from Home and Away. It really made the book for me. It was as if I had stepped back in time and returned to 2000. The characters do spend a large portion of the book in conversation about television and lifestyle. It could cause a problem for readers who are to young to recollect this time and could possible age the book. However if, like me, you were a teenager or young adult in 2000 then this book is a great find and perfect for an afternoon of pleasant nostalgia.
The storyline itself was interesting and fun. I liked the basic idea and the fact that the characters had been placed in a situation so far flung from normal society. The pace was like a gentle walk in the park for me, I was totally relaxed and immersed in the story and my own thoughts. The next thing I knew I couldn't believe how far I'd come (read). I liked the fact that the characters didn't feel threatened by the situation at first, it was like one big sleepover with good conversation and food. I loved that just as everyone was lulled into a sense of security that Thomas through a spanner in the works. It was a great addition and really made the book stand out for me. Overall it was a great book and I can't recommend it highly enough.
I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
A wonderful read which is perfect for people after a bit of nostalgia for the year 2000. After The End of Mr Y and now Bright Young Things, Scarlett Thomas is fast becoming one of my most loved authors.
