Expo 58 by Jonathan Coe | Waterstones
Jonathan Coe Expo 58 Epub Download for PC: A Guide for Readers
If you are looking for a witty and entertaining novel that combines comedy, espionage, romance, and history, you might want to check out Expo 58 by Jonathan Coe. This novel, published in 2014, is set in the World's Fair of 1958 in Brussels, where a young British civil servant gets involved in a spy plot and a love affair. In this article, we will tell you more about this novel, why you should read it, and how you can download it in epub format for your PC.
jonathan coe expo 58 epub download for pc
What is Expo 58 by Jonathan Coe?
Expo 58 is a novel by Jonathan Coe, a British author known for his satirical and humorous novels that often deal with contemporary British society and politics. Some of his other works include What a Carve Up!, The Rotters' Club, The Closed Circle, and Middle England.
A brief summary of the plot
The novel follows Thomas Foley, a bored and married civil servant who works for the Central Office of Information in London. He is assigned to oversee the construction and operation of the Britannia Pub, an authentic British pub that is part of the British pavilion at the World's Fair of 1958 in Brussels. There, he meets various characters from different countries and backgrounds, such as Anneke, a beautiful Belgian hostess; Wayne and Radford, two mysterious American agents; Mr. Chisholm and Mr. Simmonds, two eccentric British colleagues; Tony, a charismatic journalist; and Natalia, a Russian spy.
As Thomas gets involved in a spy plot that involves a secret device hidden in the Atomium, the iconic structure of the fair, he also falls in love with Anneke and starts to question his life choices. He has to decide whether to stay loyal to his country and his wife or to follow his heart and his curiosity.
The main themes and characters
The novel explores several themes, such as identity, loyalty, freedom, happiness, love, deception, and betrayal. It also reflects on the historical and cultural changes that took place in the late 1950s, such as the Cold War tensions, the rise of consumerism, the emergence of new technologies, and the decline of the British Empire.
The novel features a large cast of characters who represent different aspects of these changes. For example, Thomas Foley is a typical Englishman who feels trapped in his mundane job and marriage. He is fascinated by the exotic and modern atmosphere of the fair, but also nostalgic for the old values and traditions of his country. Anneke is a young and independent woman who wants to escape from her abusive husband and find happiness elsewhere. She is attracted to Thomas's kindness and humor, but also frustrated by his indecisiveness and naivety. Wayne and Radford are two American agents who embody the power and glamour of the US, but also its arrogance and ruthlessness. They use Thomas as a pawn in their spy game, but also try to befriend him and offer him advice. Natalia is a Russian spy who seduces Thomas and tries to persuade him to defect to the Soviet Union. She is loyal to her cause, but also sympathetic to Thomas's dilemma.
The historical and cultural context
The novel is set in the World's Fair of 1958, also known as Expo 58, which was a major international event that showcased the achievements and aspirations of different countries and cultures. The fair attracted more than 40 million visitors and featured pavilions, exhibits, attractions, and performances from various nations and regions. Some of the highlights of the fair included the Atomium, a giant model of an iron crystal that symbolized the atomic age; the Philips Pavilion, a futuristic structure that housed an electronic music composition by Edgard Varèse; the Congo Village, a controversial display of African natives living in huts; and the Britannia Pub, a replica of a traditional English pub that served beer and fish and chips.
The novel also depicts the political and social situation of the late 1950s, which was marked by the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union, the Suez Crisis that exposed the weakness of Britain and France, the launch of Sputnik that sparked the space race, the rise of rock and roll and youth culture, and the beginning of the European integration process.
Why should you read Expo 58 by Jonathan Coe?
There are many reasons why you should read Expo 58 by Jonathan Coe, but here are some of the main ones:
The humor and satire of the novel
The novel is full of witty dialogue, hilarious situations, and sharp observations that poke fun at various aspects of the fair and the era. For example, the novel mocks the absurdity and hypocrisy of the spy plot, the pretentiousness and emptiness of some of the exhibits, the stereotypes and misunderstandings between different nationalities, and the contradictions and confusions of Thomas's character. The novel also pays homage to some of the classic comedy writers and films of the period, such as P.G. Wodehouse, Evelyn Waugh, Graham Greene, Billy Wilder, Alfred Hitchcock, and Ealing Studios.
The relevance and resonance of the novel
The novel is not only a historical fiction, but also a contemporary commentary on some of the issues and challenges that we face today. For example, the novel explores themes such as globalization, multiculturalism, identity politics, consumerism, technology, media, espionage, terrorism, nationalism, and Brexit. The novel also raises questions such as: What does it mean to be British in a changing world? How do we balance our personal and professional lives? How do we cope with uncertainty and change? How do we find happiness and fulfillment?
The literary style and quality of the novel
The novel is not only a funny and entertaining read, but also a well-written and well-researched one. The novel is written in a clear and engaging prose that captures the tone and mood of the period. The novel is also rich in details and references that bring to life the setting and atmosphere of the fair and the era. The novel is also structured in a clever and creative way that mirrors the layout and design of the fair. The novel is divided into four parts that correspond to the four seasons of the year. Each part is further divided into chapters that correspond to different pavilions or attractions of the fair. Each chapter begins with a quote or an excerpt from a brochure or a guidebook that introduces or comments on the topic or theme of the chapter.
How can you download Expo 58 by Jonathan Coe in epub format for your PC?
If you are interested in reading Expo 58 by Jonathan Coe on your PC, you might want to download it in epub format. Epub is a popular and widely supported format for digital books that allows you to adjust the font size, layout, brightness, color scheme, bookmarks, annotations, etc. according to your preferences. Epub files can also be easily transferred between different devices or platforms.
What is epub and why is it preferable?
Where can you find Expo 58 by Jonathan Coe in epub format?
There are many sources where you can find Expo 58 by Jonathan Coe in epub format. Some of them are free and legal, while others are paid or pirated. Here are some of the options you can consider:
The Internet Archive: This is a non-profit digital library that offers free access to millions of books, movies, music, software, and more. You can find Expo 58 by Jonathan Coe in epub format here: https://archive.org/details/expo580000coej_j0i8. You can download it directly or read it online using the built-in reader.
Project Gutenberg: This is a volunteer effort that digitizes and distributes cultural works in the public domain. You can find thousands of free ebooks in various formats, including epub. However, Expo 58 by Jonathan Coe is not available on Project Gutenberg, as it is not in the public domain.
Amazon Kindle Store: This is the largest and most popular online store for ebooks. You can find Expo 58 by Jonathan Coe in epub format here: https://www.amazon.com/Expo-58-Jonathan-Coe-ebook/dp/B00F8KX2LC. You can buy it for $9.99 or read it for free if you have a Kindle Unlimited subscription.
Pirate Sites: These are websites that offer illegal downloads of ebooks without the permission or payment of the authors or publishers. You can find Expo 58 by Jonathan Coe in epub format on some of these sites, such as https://b-ok.cc/book/2373360/1c4f6c. However, we do not recommend or endorse these sites, as they may contain viruses, malware, or other harmful content. They may also violate the intellectual property rights of the authors or publishers.
How can you download and read Expo 58 by Jonathan Coe on your PC?
If you have found Expo 58 by Jonathan Coe in epub format from one of the sources mentioned above, you can download it to your PC and read it using an epub reader software. There are many epub reader software available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and other operating systems. Some of them are free and open source, while others are paid or proprietary. Here are some of the epub reader software you can use:
Calibre: This is a free and open source ebook management software that can read, edit, convert, and organize ebooks in various formats, including epub. You can download it from here: https://calibre-ebook.com/download. To read Expo 58 by Jonathan Coe on your PC using Calibre, you need to add the epub file to your Calibre library and then double-click on it to open it in the Calibre viewer.
Adobe Digital Editions: This is a free ebook reader software that can read and manage ebooks in various formats, including epub. You can download it from here: https://www.adobe.com/solutions/ebook/digital-editions/download.html. To read Expo 58 by Jonathan Coe on your PC using Adobe Digital Editions, you need to drag and drop the epub file to the Adobe Digital Editions library and then double-click on it to open it in the Adobe Digital Editions viewer.
Moon+ Reader: This is a paid ebook reader software that can read and customize ebooks in various formats, including epub. You can buy it from here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/moon-reader/9nblggh4x1jw. To read Expo 58 by Jonathan Coe on your PC using Moon+ Reader, you need to open the Moon+ Reader app and then browse to the folder where you saved the epub file and select it to open it in the Moon+ Reader viewer.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Expo 58 by Jonathan Coe is a novel that you should not miss if you are looking for a witty and entertaining read that combines comedy, espionage, romance, and history. It is set in the World's Fair of 1958 in Brussels, where a young British civil servant gets involved in a spy plot and a love affair. It explores themes such as identity, loyalty, freedom, happiness, love, deception, and betrayal. It also reflects on the historical and cultural changes that took place in the late 1950s. You can download it in epub format for your PC from various sources, such as the Internet Archive, the Amazon Kindle Store, or pirate sites. You can also read it on your PC using an epub reader software, such as Calibre, Adobe Digital Editions, or Moon+ Reader.
FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about Expo 58 by Jonathan Coe:
Is Expo 58 by Jonathan Coe based on a true story?
No, Expo 58 by Jonathan Coe is not based on a true story. It is a fictional novel that uses the World's Fair of 1958 as a backdrop for a spy plot and a love affair. However, the novel does incorporate some historical facts and figures, such as the names and descriptions of some of the pavilions and exhibits, the dates and events of the fair, and the personalities and roles of some of the real people who attended or participated in the fair.
Is Expo 58 by Jonathan Coe part of a series?
No, Expo 58 by Jonathan Coe is not part of a series. It is a standalone novel that does not have any sequels or prequels. However, some of the characters and themes of the novel are similar or related to those of some of his other novels, such as The Rotters' Club, The Closed Circle, and Middle England.
What is the genre of Expo 58 by Jonathan Coe?
Expo 58 by Jonathan Coe is a novel that belongs to several genres, such as comedy, espionage, romance, and historical fiction. It is a comedy because it uses humor and satire to mock various aspects of the fair and the era. It is an espionage novel because it involves a spy plot that revolves around a secret device hidden in the Atomium. It is a romance novel because it features a love affair between Thomas Foley and Anneke. It is a historical fiction novel because it is set in the World's Fair of 1958 in Brussels and depicts the political and social situation of the late 1950s.
Who is Jonathan Coe?
Jonathan Coe is a British author who was born in 1961 in Birmingham. He studied at King Edward's School and Trinity College Cambridge. He has written more than a dozen novels, as well as short stories, essays, biographies, and screenplays. He is known for his satirical and humorous novels that often deal with contemporary British society and politics. Some of his most acclaimed novels include What a Carve Up!, The Rotters' Club, The Closed Circle, The Rain Before It Falls, The Terrible Privacy of Maxwell Sim, Middle England, and Mr Wilder & Me. He has won several awards for his work, such as the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize, the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize, the Prix du Meilleur Livre Étranger, and the Costa Novel Award.
What is epub?
images of the book), and style (the formatting and layout of the book). Epub files can be read on various devices and platforms, such as PCs, tablets, smartphones, e-readers, etc. Epub files can also be adjusted according to the preferences of the readers, such as font size, layout, brightness, color scheme, bookmarks, annotations, etc. Epub files can also be easily transferred between different devices or platforms. 71b2f0854b