Umbrella now furled up in the corner...

I expected from remarks others had made and a quick glance that this novel was going to prove a challenge.

Indeed, I was only able to complete Umbrella by following the advise of my housemate who suggested that rather than try to make sense of its structure (or lack thereof) that I just allow the words to wash over me . It worked quite well for the stream-of-consciousness format.

I am still formulating my thoughts and will add them as comment to the novel's entry when I've had a little more time.

However, quite early on I came across John Crace's Digested read: Umbrella by Will Self: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/aug/19/umbrella-will-self-digested

I didn't read it until I'd finished as this kind of satire works best if you know the novel being sent up. I found it quite amusing summing up the novel's 400 pages in 400 words.

Outside it's sunny and Umbrella is in cupboard

Phew, finished at last. It feel as if my head has been toasted! I'm afraid I don't enjoy skim reading so dragged myself ponderously through this book. There were times, I admit, when I wanted to either a) forget it completely and nip to the pub, b) write a poison pen letter to Mr Self, or c) concentrate hard and squeeze out what exactly the author is trying to convey (something he doesn't seem able to do himself). In the end, I settled for a combination of all three. Honestly, I'm glad I persevered although memories came back of 2010, when Parrot and Olivier almost put me in a coma. Not that bad, though.