Beginning in the early years of this century, Number 11 follows two
friends, Alison and Rachel, as they come of age. As the narrative
progresses from the aftermath of the Iraq War to the present day, its
scope broadens to include others who are variously connected to these
two girls: Alison's mother, a has-been singer, competes on a grisly
reality TV show; Rachel's university mentor finally confronts her late
husband's obsessive search for a German film he saw as a child; a young
police constable investigates the seemingly unrelated deaths of two
stand-up comedians; and a giant spider lurks in the darkness beneath one
of London's most staggeringly expensive neighborhoods. Combining his
signature humor, psychological insight and social commentary, Jonathan
Coe holds up a disquieting, unforgiving mirror in which to reflect a
world where the systems are broken and everyone can--and perhaps
must--name his or her own price.