My thesis contends that David Lodge’s novels offer a distinctive sociocultural record from the end of the Second World War to the beginning of the twenty-first century. It addresses the main themes in Lodge’s work, religion, specifically Catholicism, sex, comedy and academia set against a changing world. I have placed the early novels of Lodge within the framework of the experimental post-war writers and examined their influence on his work. I have developed my contention through close reading and analysis of the primary texts and with reference to critics of Lodge’s work. By researching the critical approaches of a range of contemporary critics I have added to my preliminary research that had been focused on both Lodge’s fictional and theoretical works. The first chapter of this thesis explores the social and cultural changes in the aftermath of the Second World War alongside the growing discontent of young Catholics and the promise of change within the Church. The second chapter moves away from religion and demonstrates sociocultural change through the plots and characters of Lodge’s Campus Novels. The final part of my thesis addresses Lodge’s return to the subject of Catholicism in the form of academic debate juxtaposed with contemporary themes, confirming that Lodge’s novels do not fit into any particular critical or theoretical scheme. His ability to capitalise on current interest is borne out by the easy way in which he switches from religious debate to secular themes. I believe that through my approach to Lodge’s novels and my research I have substantiated my premise that Lodge’s novels chart the changes in British culture and society not only within the content of the narratives but also in the style of writing that addresses the reader’s demand for novels of literary sophistication as opposed to popular fiction.