Orinoco Womble (tidy bag and all) answers “Why do people like this book? I'm only up...”

Paul Donovan asked this question about Lucky Jim:

Why do people like this book? I'm only up to chapter 5, but the main character is a real prat. He is crude and self-obsessed. How are we supposed to empathise with his plight or hope he will succeed when he is so unlikeable?

Orinoco Womble (tidy bag and all) There are different types of comedy; some of the most popular in Britain at the time this was published were: visual (the slapstick bits, which we "se…moreThere are different types of comedy; some of the most popular in Britain at the time this was published were: visual (the slapstick bits, which we "see" in our heads when reading), the unexpected, recognition (we laugh because either "Oh yeah, I've done that so many times!" or we know someone who does and can relate to the other characters' frustration...and then there's the kind that says to the reader/viewer "Look how idiotic this person is being." My least favourite kind, but given the popularity of Mr Bean et al, there must be a market for it.(less)

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