Flying Under Bridges by Sandi Toksvig

Flying Under Bridges Reviews

• 
  Liz

  If this hadn't been a comedy, it would be a feminist classic. It reminded me of a cross between funny versions of The Women's Room and The Feminine Mystique. The issues raised about middle class wifedom, sexual rights, patriarchy in family, social and religious realms and the claustrophobia of the suburbs
  and 'normality' are really well described in this book. It's such a shame that after my 30+ years as a feminist, the issues are still around. I loved reading the book and it had me laughing throughout, even to the last page. The good thing about being an old feminist is that I can laugh at ludicrous situations that would have had me seething in my youth. It looks like Sandi Toksvig is at that stage too- but she still packs a punch.
• 
  Lisa Bennett

  It started off as an interesting read, with a couple of lines making me chuckle, but it quickly became a total bore! The swapping between prison letters and story really grinds you after a while. You forget where you were at and what happened last. And the preaching and bible lesson really pissed me off. About halfway through I was seriously considering not bothering to read the rest, but as it was for book-club I begrudgingly carried on reading. It just got worse though, and I found myself reading just to finish the damn thing and end the torture! It truly was a god awful book, and I the second one by the same author i've tried to read and hated. I won't be reading anymore of her books in the future! bloody awful if you ask me!
• 
  Snicketts

  *shrugs* It was never going to set the world aflame, but I like Toksvig and her gently, wry humour - and that comes across well in this rather moralistic tale.
• 
  V C Willow

  Funny and sweet in places but most of the time I felt Eve was entirely too passive and wet to be a main character. Most of the characters are not deeply drawn and feel shallow and incomplete. It was worth reading to the end of the book but I was ultimately left feeling the author could have done much more to create a novel with more depth and better drawn characters and finished the book feeling nonplussed about it.
• 
  Pippa Dore

  I've read this twice, it was so good. Very funny and very sad too. Will definitely read it again one day.
• 
  Roryitsme

  Actually 3.5*.
• 
  Jo Everett

  I was drawn to Sandi’s novel because I was aware of her work in the world of comedy and i am a fan of her comedic style. I was intrigued to see what her writing style was like having not previously read any of her prose work. On a similar note I recently read David Mitchell’s ‘Black Swan Green’ and thoroughly enjoyed it, partly because it surprised me in terms of content and partly because I could still feel the presence of Mitchell’s personality in the narrative. Equally, the tone of ‘Flying Under Bridges’ and its style of humour very much reflected Sandi’s on screen/air personality. This comes across in the narrative structure, partly written in the 1st person and partly in the 2nd person form, and the sarcastically blasé tone of the narrative. The reader gets the impression that Eve is one who would rather shrug her shoulders and smile inwardly at another’s stupidity than point it out to them in brash tones. They say that sarcasm is the lowest form of whit, but in this day an age I think it’s an essential element to achieving good mental health! I found that when reading the novel I had Toksvig’s voice narrating the words on the page in my head like a personal spoken book, which only added to the humour. This was probably in part to the way that Toksvig approached such a serious subject, being on trial for committing a murder, in such a blasé and comic way, which is typical to her sense of humour. From the outset the reader is informed that Eve is currently in prison awaiting the sentencing for the suspected murder of her daughter’s fiancé an act that appears increasingly unbelievable of such a kind and likeable character. This is really the driving force of the novel as the whole time I found that the question ‘did she really do it?’ was rattling around in my mind.
  There are a number of similarities between this novel and the novel I had previously read, Franzen’s ‘The Corrections’, and it is particularly in the structure of the novel that I noticed a link. Both narratives start off with a suggestion of the ending and are then pulled towards a conclusive point, a hotbed of answers to the readers’ building questions. In ‘Flying Under Bridges’ the reader is keen to find out whether Eve really is a murdered, and that is the very backbone of the narrative structure: ‘What drove Eve to murder her future son in law?’ Secondly, due to the 1st person monologues in the form of letters from Eve to her friend Inga, the reader is drawn into the world of the central character, therefore forming an empathic relationship between the reader and Eve. This is a key element to the outcome because it is clear that Toksvig is wanting her readers to look at things from a grey perspective rather than the solid black and white view that murder is bad and all who commit murders are bad, that is if you believe it really was murder. As with Franzen’s novel the inner-perspective is essential for the reader to truly understand the motives behind the actions, although unlike ‘The Corrections’ we only have one narrative perspective; Eve’s.
  But what I liked particularly about this novel was that the ending didn’t disappoint. As I grew to like and sympathise with Eve, to learn how her husband and the men around her were patronising her every move to try and keep her in her place, I wanted to believe that she was not a cold-blooded murderer. Throughout the novel Toksvig did a fantastic job of keeping the mystery of how Jon was killed a mystery. I won’t spoil the ending for you, but I will say that it was nicely presented and as ambiguous as I had hoped. There is nothing more irritating than being pulled along on a fantastic journey by an author only to have the ending come crashing down with an inconceivable or rushed conclusion. Slowly, slowly was the tac that Toksvig took, piecing together the frustrations of Eve’s ambition-stifling housewifely role in a marriage that seemed to discourage personal growth. In contrast to the mother figure in ‘The Corrections’ Eve is the type of repressed female character you can sympathise with and who you are almost rooting for. Of course there will be some who will argue that this is not an original issue and is the typical feminist blah that we would expect from someone like Toksvig, but the injection of humour and building up of events like evidence provided in a trial certainly gives the novel a refreshingly original slant. Besides, how many novels have you read recently in which the main protagonist, a sweet and “ordinary” housewife, is in jail for murdering their daughter’s fiancé?
  Whilst Eve’s life sets out the stereotype of the lonely but doting housewife, at the centre is a solid friendship with a former classmate who has now blossomed into a famous ex-sports star. This friendship provides the basis of a narrative structure, a way of diarising Eve’s inner-conscience and experiences of life in prison, through letters to Inga. These letters are both witty, heartfelt and, in a sense, lighthearted. They also allow Toksvig to reveal Eve’s true intensions as she admits to Inga how John’s death occurred from the point of view of the accused. But there is also another side to the friendship. As mirror opposites of each other, Inga is both living the life of someone famous, someone with a career, and someone who, being a lesbian, would never fall into the trap of the suppressed housewife. As with Franzen’s narrative, we get to know the stresses and strains of Inga’s life, get to delve into the empathic background of someone who seems to have it all. Taking a psychoanalytical view of Inga I feel that there is an element of Toksvig in the character, Toksvig also being gay and a celebrity. Maybe then it was her intention to show a rounded view of women within her novel, to show those who were “generic” housewives and those who were “radical” gay celebrities. For those who know Toksvig and the work she does for the BBC there was also a little bit of an in-joke, a sort of tongue and cheek view of the way the BBC operates. What I mean by this is that Inga throughout the narrative is being pushed into a role hosting a cheesy game show for the BBC and is being dragged with a heavy sigh through the development of what started off as a potentially acceptable show into one that bows down to the mindless tosh that is regularly lapped up by the masses who believe it to be quality entertainment. This added humour to the narrative, the sort of socially critical humour that the type of reader who would select a Toksvig novel would definitely get.
  So let me end with a short note about the readership of ‘Flying Under Bridges’. Because of the author and the pro-feminist subject matter, this novel is more likely than not to receive a predominantly female audience. This is not to say that it couldn’t equally be enjoyed by a male reader because the level of humour and portrayal of the male characters do still welcome in the male reader to a world in which they would feel comfortable. On the shelf though I feel the hands that would stealthily pluck these pages would more likely than not belong to those of a woman, and probably those of a woman above the age of about 20. So as a female who is above the age of 20, did I enjoy the novel? Yes I did. Would I read it again? Yes, probably, because now that I know the outcome it would be good to revisit the pages and delve further into Eve’s character knowing what I know. And would I recommend it to others? I already have and have passed my copy on as soon as I had finished it. All in all a thoroughly enjoyable and light read.
• 
  Dajuroka Reads

  Taxidermy, Gay Rights, Murder Most Foul, Feminist Frustrations, The Death of Marriage and the Futility of Religion are the grist of Toksvig's delightfully funny yet poignant novel, 'Flying Under Bridges'.
  
  Adam and Eve in Edenford - what a classic concept! What courage!
  
  Oh but this is no Eden for Eve and many a wife and mother will sob with delight as they realize they are not alone in the suburban non-existence that is so beautifully captured in this delightful story.
  
  It is a comedy or at least comedy is used to provide a lot of light relief to a multitude of very serious issues that at times emerge in stark reality for this poor yet immensely gifted heroine. Racism, the plight of refugees, bigotry, sexism, feminism, gay rights, death, aging, youth suicide it is all there and it sneaks up on you as you laugh your way through the pages.
  
  At times the plot seems to slow and the narration and people talking gets a little confusing - but that is a minor point.
  
  The story revolves around the lives of two women who were friends at school. Unexpectedly they are reunited in their home town having followed dramatically different life paths.
  
  Eve is the ever suffering wife, mother and carer for her own mother and Inge was an Olympic gold medalist and became a sports personality for the BBC.
  
  The story begins with Eve writing to Inge from prison, as she awaits her trial for murdering her daughter's fiance on the day of their wedding! (That's quite enough now as you will have to read the whole book to determine the how and why.)
  
  I liked the way Toksvig has introduced small snippets of information early in the story that take on a whole new light later - her mad feline, Inge's partner, the car aerial and many other facets. You are, as in real life, not given everything at once, though you do have your suspicions aroused.
  
  If you are a blinkered bigot and totally unforgiving of those who do not live the good and fanatical Christian life, you will not enjoy this BUT you may learn a bit about humanity if you persist.
  
  If you get the chance listen to the unabridged audio version spoken by the author. Ms Toksvig does the works humor and pathos proud. A very skilled narrator - look out Pam Ayers!
  
  © David K. Evans (2005)
• 
  Ape

  I do like Sandi Toksvig. I could imagine this story being a polite Sunday evening's drama on ITV. Witty, superficial suburban drama with moral levels to it. It would be brilliant if Sandi played all the roles. So many lines have her wonderful dry wit.
  The book is now 20 years old, and I don't know if that's part of the reason why it feels a bit out of date (I don't think lesbian couples have it this hard anymore, do they?) and filled with stereotypes I've read again and again... there is nothing mind blowing here. Maybe it would have been when it first came out. It's a little humourous social drama of well-heeled, middle-aged folk from the home counties which immediately is on a hiding to nothing with me. A lot of the characters are highly obnoxious, but to the point where you wonder could this many all live in such a high concentration? Maybe that's what it's like down south.
  It flits between letters from Eve, in jail, to her highschool chum, Inge, not in jail, as well as narration of the story. Eve's awaiting trail for murdering her daughter's fiance. Although given how it was done, I'm surprised it didn't go through as manslaughter, but I digress... Eve's a bored housewife who hasn't done anything with her life and no one in her life - husband, mother, sister, brother, friends, children... seem to care either that she hasn't. She is becoming aware of this and injustices in the world, and closer to home when her school chum Inge, ex Olympian, moves back into town with her dying partner, Kate. It's meant to tug at all the heartstrings, but it did get a little dull.
  I don't think I'm going to rush out to try any more of her books.
• 
  Liz Chapman

  On the whole I liked this book although bits of it I found lost the momentum of the story. It wasn't as funny as I thought it would be considering Toksvig is a very good comedian . In fact it was only the last page of the book that made me laugh out loud. The ending for me was unsatisfactory and needed a bit more to complete it . Eve is a down trodden character and used and abused by her horrible family to breaking point. The thing that confused me was why was she in jail before the trial when the death was caused by an accident? A Psyciatric unit perhaps but the book implied it was a foregone conclusion that she was a murderer. In a way the book was all about losers but visually would have made quite a funny TV drama with the right director. Looking at other reviews it does seem that the audio book read by Toksvig does make for a more enjoyable and entertaining experience of this book . Maybe Sandi's humour comes across much better read by herself.
• 
  Catsalive

  Two old school-friends, Kate & Inge, are reunited. Their lives have taken different paths - Inge was an Olympic gold medallist and is now a famous sports personality for the BBC; Eve is a housewife, married to Adam with two grown-up children, living in Edenford. Eve sees Tom & Shirley as her only contribution to the world.
  
  The book opens with Eve writing to Inge from prison as she awaits her trial for murdering Shirley's fiance, John. Secrets are reveal & reasons for John's death become apparent.
  
  This book is about love & loss, sexuality, & feeling trapped, among other things. It is funny & sad, & I enjoyed the workings of Eve's mind.
  
  Rated 7/10 at
  http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/1....
• 
  Jana

  This is the 3rd time I've listened to this book. It strikes a chord with me I guess! At first it seems to be just a British comedy, but it is much, much more! Race, feminism, homophobia, hypocrisy, charity, friendship, parenthood...to name a few issues that are covered.
  
  I highly recommend the audio, read by the author. My local library has 1 copy. I hope they always do, because I don't see it available to purchase.
• 
  Des

  This is a laugh-out-loud grotesque farce and at the same time absolute fact, describing the reality of life in a way it would not be possible without the comedic lense of the superbly talented author.
  I have not read anybody on this subject who was this honest.
• 
  David

  9 CD version read by author ISBN9781845050856
  A surprise pickup. Probably a bit over the top on the "moralistic" side but a tale well told. I think it would make a good movie especially if a better pun could be found for the final seen, even if it is historically linguistically correct.
• 
  Manda Wilson

  Very funny.
• 
  Fiona

  Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love Toksvig's humour and often laughed out loud.
• 
  Bionic Jean

  Reminiscent of Fay Weldon.
• 
  Dani Leis

  Wonderful book. Funny and Sad. Easy read.
• 
  Bridget

  This audiobook has been my companion over the past weeks, I enjoyed it enormously. Sandy's voice is great, it is funny, witty, tackles big issues and made my driving life jolly fine fun.