C novel

Tom McCarthy’s 2010 novel *C* is his third novel and sixth book. It was shortlisted for the Booker Prize but received polarized reviews from critics. The story follows Serge Carrefax, born in late 19th-century England, tracing his life before and after World War I. A central theme of the novel is communication, exploring how technology shapes individual and societal interactions.

Upon its release, *C* garnered mixed critical reception. On The Omnivore, it scored 2.5 out of 5 based on British press reviews. The Lit Review gave it a 61% approval rating from 8 critic reviews, noting that while reviews were mixed, the Booker Prize selection committee’s endorsement might make it worth reading. Culture Critic reported an 82% positive score, while Book Marks categorized 20 reviews as 8 "rave," 6 "positive," 5 "mixed," and 1 "pan." Bookmarks Magazine gave it a 4 out of 5, describing McCarthy as a fringe writer despite mainstream attention.

Jennifer Egan of the New York Times praised the novel for blending "Pynchonesque revelry in signs and codes" with William Burroughs’ psychedelic style. Conversely, Leo Robson of the New Statesman found it uneven, highlighting both delights and tedium, and criticized its repetitive sentence structures. Overall, *C* has been noted for its ambitious exploration of communication and technology but has divided critics in terms of execution and appeal.