Wednesday 24 January 2018



If you only enjoy half of a novel, I suppose you can only give it 5/10 - but the half that I enjoyed, I enjoyed very much. This is a London novel and its characters tramp miles across its pages, far better walkers than I am. Past and present are intertwined. In 1851, Joseph Benson is hired as a researcher, interviewing prostitutes rather too thoroughly for Henry Mayhew's newspaper articles that will later become London Labour and the London Poor. Joseph and his family - he is married to the sister of his deceased first wife - live in a rented house in Lamb's Conduit Street ... heavens, could it be the site of Persephone Books? Or one of those houses by The Lamb pub? Joseph's researches lead him south of the river to Apricot Place where the exotic Mrs Dulcimer is running a lodging house for vulnerable girls and not, as Joseph assumes, a knocking shop. And in the 21st century, this is where Madeline has a basement flat and is sensitive to the lives that have been lived here in the past. And this I'm afraid is where I lost patience with the book because Madeline and every character in her social circle ... that is, every cardboard cut-out from the Guardian Book of Politically Correct and Desirable Neighbours (pregnant teen, gay best friend etc etc) ... are so boring that I couldn't have cared less what happened to any one of them. In fact, if you read the Victorian chapters and skip the modern stuff, you won't miss anything.
Yes, just whisk me back to 1851 ... the pies - the smells - the muddy pavements - the parlours - the alehouses ...
And one of these days I must seek out Cross Bones Graveyard. I'd never heard of it before.

11 comments:

Gina said...

I've never heard of the Cross Bones Graveyard either. London always fascinates me with new things to discover all the time.

Serenknitity said...

So many books and tv series delve into 'the Guardian Book of Politically Correct and Desirable Neighbours'. I was considering this book, as I grew up in Walworth, but sheesh - you saved me from adding to the teetering TBR pile.

mary said...

No matter how many years you live here, there's always something new, Gina - and I'm not very good on South London.

It's ashamed, Serenknitty - because the 19th century bits were enjoyable. Actually, you really could skip the modern bits - you wouldn't lose the plot.

Cosy Books said...

I've never heard about the Cross Bones graveyard, but what a fascinating website. I wonder if 'Winchester Geese' has ever cropped up in a novel and gone completely over my head? We can always add a historical expedition to my next visit, Mary.

mary said...

Well, that would be an expedition for both of us, Darlene. It's only just past Elephant and Castle, I think.

Vronni's Style Meanderings said...

I have read a few Michele Roberts novels and enjoyed them. I would have thought I'd enjoy this one. Maybe one day...

I brought home three books from the library on Tuesday which were on my (very long) wishlist and I'm also trying to read my way through a pile of displaced books sitting on my floor as I had run out of book shelf space. Do you have any specific reading strategies, Mary?

I've tried all sorts to get through my books at home; reading alphabetically through authors on my shelves, reading around a topic/theme, reading by genres, reading only American/British/Irish etc authors but book reviews tempt me and off on a chase to find the book which means trips to the library and or you know where...

mary said...

I'm the last person to ask, Veronica! I'm sure I'd do better if I finished one book before starting another - but I always fall for the thrill of the new arrival. I was in the library the other day and the librarian said to me, 'You're our best customer,' as I returned one and checked out three - taking me up to 26! If they allowed 30, I'd have 30! And that's not counting charity shops - gifts - and those I actually buy, not so many these days as frankly no space!

Christine Harding said...

I went searching for the Cross Bones graveyard a year or so ago and found it boarded up and due, I believe. for development. But people had attached ribbons, flowers and other mementos to he fencing, as a memorial to the women who buried there. Has it been saved I wonder?

mary said...

I think it opens occasionally, Christine - but I don't think it has been saved, perhaps a temporary respite.

Anbolyn said...

I've had this on my nightstand for over a month now and haven't been tempted. But you make the historical half of it sound like it is worth a try!

mary said...

It's a quick read, Anbolyn - just don't expect too much.