The Corridor

Oxford Uni Corridor Series, Book 1

By: Vic Neal

Narrated by: Jack Hardman

The Corridor is a documentary-style comedy which follows the lives of a group of Oxford students through their conversations, tweets, emails, video diaries, and text messages. Rather than attending lectures and writing essays, the students are more interested in their bizarre clubs, secret dining societies, and organizing rebellions.

Based loosely on the experiences of an Oxford student, The Corridor exposes the famous seat of learning which has continued to excrete our most reprehensible leaders for hundreds of years.

A must-listen book for anyone thinking of becoming a prime minister/anarchist.

©2018 Vic Neal (P)2020 Vic Neal

bland, predictable

I tried really hard to get into this story, but I simply didn't care about the characters, the exploits going on, nor the story. I found most of the antics fairly predictable and guessed the big 'gotcha' at the end almost halfway through the book. Just not my cup of tea, though I do see how others would enjoy it possibly if they were more familiar with the surroundings.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

A wry look at university life - Britain Beware!

Set in a single corridor in the fictional Oxford Uni college of Goodfitz, this story relays the daily goings-on for students as a new term starts.

There is a wide mix of characters - the posh Bullington Club president, Ben, who's entire world is ruined by the fact he no longer has an en-suite bathroom! His vice-president, Rupert, a 'leftie', intent on exposing the favouritism and elitism of the college and university in general (who, ironically does have an en-suite). New girl, Poppy, who gained a place on the accessibility for all programme, is thrown in at the deep end and finds the rules baffling and, to be honest, out of step with the real world. She starts an online diary, which perfectly expresses the insanity and sheer inanity of the protocols she's obliged to follow. Added to this motley crew, there's an avid rower, Lexi, Albert, the eternal student, still writing his thesis, and The Master whose job it is to keep order. 

The interactions between the characters are both funny and irritating (though not at the same time!) Student politics plays a large role - the pettiness of the issues raised highlight the differences in expectations of Tory Ben and Socialist Rupert, and will instantly remind any reader or listener of the shenanigans in Westminster. Their hugely combative relationship is told through snarky emails, and their attempts to get others onside. Poppy's diary keeps the passage of time in check. 


There are moments to make you laugh out loud, and others to make you despair: If these stereotypes are the future leaders of Britain, then things - I'm sorry to say - ain't gonna get better ;) 

The narration is well done; I had no problem following the story, and indeed the tone of voice really suits the characters and their personalities. As far as observational comedy goes, this is a great example. Showing warts and all with what is clearly insider knowledge, it is a comedy, but it sure does explain a lot about some people currently in power in Britain - and not in a good way. 

Recommended to fans of satire with both feet firmly fixed in reality. I'll definitely read (listen to) the sequel. 

I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Vic Neal. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

Eh

Poppy has been given a once in a lifetime opportunity. She's been given a scholarship to one of the best schools in the country. She doesn't feel that she earned it. She feels like they are seeing her as a charity case since she attended one of the worst schools in the area. She creates a video blog to talk about her experience at the school. This book had a lot of great potential. It had some pretty witty characters. The whole scene was very posh. I was quite impressed with the aspect of it. It even had the very realistic feeling of how school life might be in the modern times. A lot of stories stick with the old school ways. But I digress. The formatting was unique. I mean it made things easier to read, but still. I liked the story quite a bit. The major point here is that I didn't enjoy it. While I thought it had great potential, I also saw the many flaws as well. I listened to this in audio, but I had a digital copy of the book as well so I followed along. I also didn't care for the grammar used in emails. I mean I get it. Grammar isn't ultimately important with portrayals like that. However, these students are apparently going to a very pristine school. I would expect them to at least be able to use the shift key at the beginning of each sentence. The college student who just types without using the shift key at all just wasn't realistic for me. This book was narrated by Jack Hardman. He did a pretty amazing job with narration. I really enjoyed his accent very much and would prefer not to know if it was not an authentic accent. I don't think there's another book in this series in audiobook. I'm not sure if I'd continue if there were. I will be willing to listen to other books that this narrator narrates. He has a very soothing tone that I enjoyed very much. I really did like this story even though I didn't love it. It had a lot of great potential. I really enjoyed the very unique formatting. It made the book very easy to read. I also enjoyed the easy banter of the characters. I just feel that the book fell flat in many places. I also feel that it lacked something. I can't put my finger on what it lacked, but maybe one day I will. I might give the rest of the volumes in this series a chance. I'm not sure yet. If I do, it won't be right away. Either way, I recommend it. There's somebody out there who will fall in love with it. I'm sure.