My book review of 'The Proof of My Innocence' by Jonathan Coe

by Jonathan Coe
The Proof of My Innocence
by Jonathan Coe

This is a clever, funny and gripping novel that plays around with genres as well as referring to politics and modern culture. We've got recurring motifs of the railway safety announcements 'See it, Say it, Sorted', for example, and frequent references to episodes of the US tv series 'Friends'.

Chris is seeking to uncover a sinister think-tank, founded at Cambridge University in the 1980s. He makes a short visit to friends before travelling on to a conference in the Cotswolds, hoping to expose the protagonists.

But Chris dies at the event. It's then up to the next generation - his daughter and family friend - to investigate and establish whether this was murder, and whether it was due to political machinations or some sort of literary intrigue.

There's so much going on in this book but you never feel overwhelmed or bewildered! It rattles along at quite a pace and it's just a fantastic read. I loved it!

Date of this review: October 2024
Book publication date: 7th November 2024