London-The Biography. by Peter Ackroyd
Thu, 2006-04-06 17:57
#1
London-The Biography. by Peter Ackroyd
I've just finished reading this book....what a tour de force! Briliantly researched and entertainingly written it gave me hours of reading and though I spent over half of my life in London I learned more about the place from this book than I already knew. Many of the places and the events associated with them were familiar to me but to read about them in such detail...fantastic!. I take off my hat to a master story teller.
josiedog
Yep, I enjoyed it too, and have read a lot of Ackroyd's books (read Hawksmoor years ago when it first appeared). I have a real love/hate relationship with London, I just can't leave, and I do tend to home in on "London writers". For me the guvnor is Iain Sinclair. He's a difficult sod to read at times though.
Jingle
I'm interested in you comment "Love/hate relationship with London." I share it! I was born there and grew up through the war years. Then worked in Fleet Street for 20 odd years. So I have seen the good and the bad bits. Still I moved out at the first opportunity and have never regretted it. I rarely go to London now. Except for the theatre or an exhibition or something like that. I really dislike the mad atmosphere, as if no one has a moment to spare. But nobody seems to enjoy themselves....so frenetic all trying to convince themselves how busy or important they are. They'll learn sooner or later. Work to live not live to work. I hope so anyway. I don't know Ian Sinclair's work but I'll look out for it. Thanks for the tip.
josiedog
I used to thrive on the stressed out vibe but try to dodge clear now. I definitely do not live to work, in fact I do not work - the work ethic gene skipped a generation in my family - but I still get caught up in the edginess. If I had a few quid (unlikely since I don't work am not a member of the landed gentry) I woud move out. But would need easy access at all times!
I fear I would vegetate out in the country...