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Mercury · 08-07-2010, 03:24 PM

I'm from London, and while I love being here, I find so many of the books which have 'London as the biggest character' really awful. I suppose if something has its own reviewing cliche, it's a sign to give that book a miss. Additionally if the blurb on the back has the words 'sprawling' 'underbelly' or beating heart' in relation to ANY city, the book would swiftly be put down, unread.

Two recommendations I would make to anyone wanting a flavour of London would be Peter Ackroyds London: The Biography, which I have used as a guidebook, learning and visiting many new and previously unheard of interesting places, and anything by Robert Rankin, especially the Brentford Trilogy (which now contains about 10 books). His books just seem to sum up the best qualities of Londoners.

So where do you live and which books best sum up your feelings for the place?

08-07-2010, 03:24 PM	#1
Mercury Enthusiast Posts: 38 Karma: 164 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: London, UK Device: Sony 505, iPad	Books that love the place you live I'm from London, and while I love being here, I find so many of the books which have 'London as the biggest character' really awful. I suppose if something has its own reviewing cliche, it's a sign to give that book a miss. Additionally if the blurb on the back has the words 'sprawling' 'underbelly' or beating heart' in relation to ANY city, the book would swiftly be put down, unread. Two recommendations I would make to anyone wanting a flavour of London would be Peter Ackroyds London: The Biography, which I have used as a guidebook, learning and visiting many new and previously unheard of interesting places, and anything by Robert Rankin, especially the Brentford Trilogy (which now contains about 10 books). His books just seem to sum up the best qualities of Londoners. So where do you live and which books best sum up your feelings for the place?