If Charlie and the Chocolate Factory had been written by Jeffrey Archer, the result would probably have been very much like this book. That's not a criticism.

Spanning nearly four decades, the book follows the six godchildren of a successful but morally bankrupt tycoon. I liked the way the book dipped into their lives at various stages, kept the momentum going, a mammoth juggling act given that there are six of them to keep up with. They can all be readily characterised (druggie, chancer, toff etc) but stay the right side of being caricatures.

There is a boldness about the writing, a willingness to incorporate real people (Margaret Thatcher turns up at one point, as does David Blunkett - the second book in a row that I've read with him in it, how weird is that?). Also an interesting theory about whether or not Mikhail Gorbachev likes Marmite.

I thought at some points the motivations of the characters were having to be manipulated to an extent that was positively gymnastic, just to make sure the plot stayed on track. Given the events in the story, there was no way some of the godchildren would have maintained links with their godfather, but there they were every time there was a meet-up. In spite of this, I was gripped, and had to read the last sixty pages locked in my bedroom to prevent any interruptions! Coleridge has a really really good writing style - lively, confident, easy to follow, and I'm amazed he is not a bigger name on the literary stage. ( )