Absolute Beginners, Colin MacInnes
One of my favourite books. (Avoid the film, a wasted opportunity). Colin MacInnes used to write kind of dry, sociological studies on teenagers and pop culture, amazing that this turned into great fiction. He was into his thirties when he wrote it but you believe in Jimmy, he has that teenage energy and passion. It's so touching, his relationship with both parents, so sad, his unrequited love for Suze, the increasing racism, such an alive book about London in a specific time and place. Heartbreaking. (And he was
Edward Burne Jones'grandson,
strange but true).Tip for tourists - he writes about going to the top floor cafe in Peter Jones with all the blue- rinsed old biddies, just for the spectacular view across London. They've changed the cafe since then but it still has a beautiful view.
Nominate your favourite London books here!
6 comments:
Got to be The End of The Affair by Graham Greene - love, betrayal and tragedy during the Blitz. Depresses me everytime I read it. But in a good way.
I was too scarred by Brighton Rock to try any more Grahame Greene, but do like a good tragic affair, specially set in London.
There you go, you've already got a post about books set in Brighton. Do try and read, TEOTA, it's fab.
Try Roofworld by Chris Fowler - or a couple of his other ones, Spanky or Soho Black - all based in London. But Roofworld and Spanky are the better ones from that selection.
Woooh! Lyle, I just flashbacked to when I worked in a bookshop. A man who looked like a vampire came in and bought some books by Chris Fowler. I'm not joking, he really did look like a vampire. There was no colour in his irises. Spooky. He said "You MUST read these, they're really good." And I was frightened and said I would. But haven't yet.
PS just checked your site, nice bunnysuit.
Post a Comment