Page "Thinks ..." Paragraph 30

As far as David Lodge's narrative is concerned, quite a number of elements prevalent in his earlier novels can again be identified: Helen's Catholic upbringing, with her parents still believers in the Catholic faith ( reminiscent of The British Museum Is Falling Down and How Far Can You Go?

); the campus novel, with a lot of intellectual discussion and a lot of sex going on ( in particular Changing Places ); pastiche ( the narrative technique itself and, in particular, the essays written by Helen Reed's students on " What Is It Like to Be a Bat ?").

He also reintroduces one character from an earlier novel: Robyn Penrose appears in Nice Work ( 1988 ) as Dr Robyn Penrose, temporary Lecturer in English.

Now she is Professor Robyn Penrose, Head of Communications and Cultural Studies at Walsall University, and gives a lecture on " Interrogating the Subject ".