It's just a weird book. I got through 3 chapters of the first book, and it was full of strange British (maybe just old British?) slang, misogyny (all the friends talk poorly of women ), and homophobia (one friend is clearly gay). I get all that was normal back then, but it's something I'm keen to avoid. Plus, the main guy is being dramatic because he's going bald. It's not dumb and not worth the time.