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I accidentally stumbled over this novel when browsing Audible's two-for-one offers. Several of the books I had on my list were not available on Audible, so I was in dire need of something to listen to. The subject matter: London in 2008 (when I lived there), got to me and I bought it. I also like the narrator's voice, a very important part of an audio book.
And what a great buy that was. After having Wikipedia'd Lanchester I realise that I should have known of him, but I can just as well admit it - I didn't. But I do now and will buy his other books because I adore the way he tells a story. He is able to step inside the head of an uppity banker, a football wonder boy, a Pakistani corner shop owner, a Polish worker, a Zimbabwean refugee and an elderly English woman so convincingly that you really believe him.
The story has one street in London as its focal point and we follow a number of people with connections to this street. The blanket that is weaved throughout this book of all these people's interactions is both intricate and beautiful!
Lanchester has wit, knowledge, humour and a love for all his characters, even those that barely register on the likability scale. He makes no secret of liking the people best who do real, actual work for a living and who has a thought or two to spare for his/her fellow human beings. I'm totally with him there!
I warmly recommend this great book - not least to all the people I know who have a weakness for London.
And what a great buy that was. After having Wikipedia'd Lanchester I realise that I should have known of him, but I can just as well admit it - I didn't. But I do now and will buy his other books because I adore the way he tells a story. He is able to step inside the head of an uppity banker, a football wonder boy, a Pakistani corner shop owner, a Polish worker, a Zimbabwean refugee and an elderly English woman so convincingly that you really believe him.
The story has one street in London as its focal point and we follow a number of people with connections to this street. The blanket that is weaved throughout this book of all these people's interactions is both intricate and beautiful!
Lanchester has wit, knowledge, humour and a love for all his characters, even those that barely register on the likability scale. He makes no secret of liking the people best who do real, actual work for a living and who has a thought or two to spare for his/her fellow human beings. I'm totally with him there!
I warmly recommend this great book - not least to all the people I know who have a weakness for London.