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Sometimes a novel that moves from character to character can be frustrating. Just as we begin to understand one personality, we shift into the mind of another. However, in Sebastian Faulks‘ A Week in December, we are aware from the start that these characters, or most of them, are going to come together at the end of the week of London life that is portrayed. They are to be guests at Sophie Topping’s dinner party.

Among the more sympathetic characters in this satirical view of London life are Jenni Fortune and Hassan. Jennni drives tube trains and is due in court, defended by a young barrister, Gabriel Northwood, because of a case concerning a man who leapt onto the line in front of her train.

Hassan is a deluded Islamist who has been thoroughly indoctrinated and is planning an act of terrorism. His planned act may be grotesque but he comes alive on the page as we follow his muddy thinking. He is faced with the dilemma of having to be present when his father, a pickle magnate, receives an honour at Buckingham Palace. The event will coincide with the time of his terrorist act.

A similar act of terrorism is being planned by the unsmiling hedge-fund man, John Veals. He is planning to bring down a major bank by his wheeling and dealing. Faulks gives detailed analyses of his methods and his basically nasty character. His neglected son, Finbar, is living in a fantasy world, frequently high on skunk.

Highly satirical and often very funny, this novel is a lively portrayal of the interlocking levels of London life.

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