Snug Paperback – March 22, 2013

Frightening and beautiful, nicely put. A must to learn about state’s domination. Congrats to the author to be able to switch Catalan and English so smoothly.

I've just had the fun of reading SNUG, I couldn't put it down and ended up late for work twice!Though it's his first English novel Matthew is author of 10 popular novels in Catalan, and it shows.The writing is just brilliant, he's caught the language, mannerisms and prejudices perfectly, and I felt right inside the psyche of the various narrators, only to find them much too real, as the tension and terror takes over.A tale of kids on holiday turns into much much more... half way through I realised I was reading a shocking exposé of little England, of the continuing genocidal crimes against Africa and the Africans and the deep institutionalised racism and sadism that made the Empire function.SNUG is entertaining and amazing, I recommend it!

SNUG is, from start to finish, a powerful novel. It evokes a diverse range of emotions, and does an outstanding job of exposing the mentality of "civilized" xenophobic ignorance that is at the heart of - and generated by - colonialism. A fascinating, moving and thought-provoking book, which I highly recommend!

Thank you Matthew Tree for your accomplished, atmospheric and thought provoking novel.The clever use of different narrators gives us, the readers unsettling yet important insight into the thought processes behind the very different characters in the story and in society at large.I would recommend this book to anyone who is uncomfortable with the snugness of British society.More novels please Mr Tree. behind the very different characters in the story and in society at large.I would recommend this book to anyone who is uncomfortable with the snugness of British society.More novels please Mr Tree.

Quite simply, I found this a delightfully unusual novel and wonderfully told. Set in stuffy 1970's England and with a collection of narrators, some comic book figures, others more complex, Snug genuinely took me by surprise. The specific take on 1970's England evoked shades of Dennis Potter, combined with an unexpected plot and subject matter. The novel felt like an adventurous journey through the author's imagination. It conjures up memories of English afternoon teas and places them alongside events that will turn this smug little world upside down. The writing, imagery, plot and voices of the characters carry you along at a cracking pace. It's a highly imaginative work and unlike anything I've read lately. Couldn't put it down and finished reading it in the early hours - always a good sign!

A wonderful novel which is innovative and captivating. It touches on so many aspects of society such as the callousness of imperialism, the fickleness of human nature, and the "snugness" of white society back in 1974, although some things may never change!The pace is gripping as the author successfully presents different viewpoints thanks to a host of rich, interesting characters and a perfect representation of the context in which they live.The setting of the story is so incredibly lifelike thanks to the writer's command of language and insight, and the plot unfolds in a way that is completely unpredictable and a delight to read, although at times a little disturbing but also witty and moving. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading top-quality literature which provides them with lots of food for thought.

El libro me ha gustado mucho y me absorvió a su interior al leerlo. No pude dejarlo hasta terminarlo, que es algo que valoro mucho en una novela.A través de 4 personajes distintos y su evolución entendemos cómo los condicionantes culturales que son transmitidos de generación en generación aseguran el mantenimiento de un cierto status quo. Vemos al doctor en medicina racista que acaba convenciendo a su hija a pesar de todo de que la gente negra es inferior, o al joven bienintencionado (aunque eso nazca de un cierto sentimiento de culpa) que no encuentra ningun resquicio por donde entrar a mejorar ni tan siquiera un poco el mundo.Vemos la mentalidad hipócrita de los habitantes de un pequeño pueblo isleño de Gran Bretaña, dónde detrás de la cordialidad de cada hombre medio se esconde un monstruo en potencia.Advierto a los lectores que el inglés con el que el libro esta escrito tiene una complejidad (por vocabulario) muy elevada para el no-nativo, aunque la edición Kindle lo arregla del todo gracias al diccionario incorporado. Tuve que usar este diccionario que digo unas cuantas veces en cada capítulo a pesar de que dispongo de un título de C2.2 (el mas alto) de inglés como lengua extranjera.

Surprising and well written novel. Bit confusing at the beginning.Lots of turns to keep reader's interest.Story about the beast that might be inside common people, inconsistent fear of the unknown, prejudice, racism.Lots of new vocabulary for a non-native like me.