'Starter for Ten' | David Nicholls

I picked this up on a charity shop book haul the other week over in Belfast, but I’ve been meaning to read it ever since finishing Nicholls’ One Day, which I loved. I'll admit that another reason I was looking forward to this is that I'm secretly  a bit of a University Challenge keeno myself!

Set in 1985, Starter for Ten begins at something of an end – as awkward, unpopular Brian Jackson is leaving school to go to university. On his first night away, two life-changing events happen. One, Brian meets the rich and glamorous Alice Harbinson, whom he falls hopelessly and unrequitedly in love with. Two, he makes the decision to try out for the Bristol University Challenge team, as a fan of the programme since childhood. At first he doesn’t make the team – though only because of giving answers to Alice – but joins when another member becomes ill.

The novel follows Brian’s uncomfortable and unsettled first year at university, flitting between cringe-inducing social/romantic encounters and Brian’s attempts to show off his academic prowess. Nicholls pulls this off superbly and often I felt like laughing, wincing and feeling sorry all at once in response to Brian’s embarrassing escapades. There’s a real sense of friction in the story, I think –image and reality; class difference; friends and enemies.

Nicholls’ depiction of Alice is equally vibrant, and of course she is a total contrast to Brian – beautiful, desirable, and wealthy. She is clearly not attracted to Brian but is happy to lead him on. For me one of the most important parts of the novel is the description of Brian’s birthday, where he takes Alice on a date, spending a huge chunk of his student grant he can’t afford to try and impress her, all the while ignoring foul-mouthed but likeable Rebecca Epstein, a socialist law student.

My brother accidentally told me the main twist in the tale, which I won’t repeat for you here (though you may well have seen the film)! But there’s so much more to the plot that it didn’t spoil it for me really – I was still absorbed by Nicholls. Starter for Ten is both hilarious and observant.

Find out about David Nicholls' latest projects here.