The London of Literature
February 23rd 2008 10:23
Just when I thought I was nearing the end of my list of things to do in London, a particularly thoughtful, highly appropriate and deeply appreciated Christmas present, from my eldest son, sent me off on a new and fascinating round of exploration.
The gift was a book called “Literary London, a street by street exploration of the capital’s literary heritage” by Ed Glinert. Glinert, who was born in Dalston, has already written three books about London “The London Compendium”, “East end Chronicles” and West End Chronicles. “Literary London” also appeared in a previous edition entitled “A Literary Guide to London”. His knowledge of the city, its history and the writers who have lived and worked there is encyclopedic. His knowledge of literature is awe-inspiring.
“Literary London” is a great read - brilliantly written, witty and absorbing. It is full of fascinating stories about writers - famous, infamous, little known and unheard of – and the places where they worked and lived. It describes locations and buildings, from the celebrated to the obscure, which have featured in literature. It details the great London bookshops and publishing houses. It outlines six wonderful guided walks, based on authors including Shakespeare and Dickens and on characters like Sherlock Holmes. It gives excellent maps and directions.
Literary London had me glued to its pages, in the Australian heat, from Christmas to New Year and pounding the winter London pavements through January into February. It took me to parts of London I would never have found, or dreamed of visiting. It brought to life parts of the city I would have probably dismissed as drab and without interest. It introduced me, too, to writers I would otherwise not have discovered
The Inns of Temple
The gift was a book called “Literary London, a street by street exploration of the capital’s literary heritage” by Ed Glinert. Glinert, who was born in Dalston, has already written three books about London “The London Compendium”, “East end Chronicles” and West End Chronicles. “Literary London” also appeared in a previous edition entitled “A Literary Guide to London”. His knowledge of the city, its history and the writers who have lived and worked there is encyclopedic. His knowledge of literature is awe-inspiring.
“Literary London” is a great read - brilliantly written, witty and absorbing. It is full of fascinating stories about writers - famous, infamous, little known and unheard of – and the places where they worked and lived. It describes locations and buildings, from the celebrated to the obscure, which have featured in literature. It details the great London bookshops and publishing houses. It outlines six wonderful guided walks, based on authors including Shakespeare and Dickens and on characters like Sherlock Holmes. It gives excellent maps and directions.
Literary London had me glued to its pages, in the Australian heat, from Christmas to New Year and pounding the winter London pavements through January into February. It took me to parts of London I would never have found, or dreamed of visiting. It brought to life parts of the city I would have probably dismissed as drab and without interest. It introduced me, too, to writers I would otherwise not have discovered
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Comment by Adam Chamberlain
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