books on for and about London...
 

As a Londonlover who plans to go to London on the 5th of october I am looking for books to read to get in the right mood for my favorite city (and to take me through the trip, I always carry a book with me to read when traveling alone as I plan to do now).
New novels, art books or anything I simply have to read?

It may be too heavy to carry on a plane (it's a 600+ page hardcover), but I loved Life Mask, a new historical novel by Emma Donoghue which is set in London in the 1780's and 1790's. Most of the characters were actual historical people, like the Earl of Derby and the actress Eliza Farren.

I also enjoyed The Hound in the Left-Hand Corner, a satirical novel about the London art world by Giles Waterfield (who used to be the director of the Dulwich Picture Gallery, so he presumably knows whereof he speaks).

In Search of London by H.V. Morton - all his travel memoirs are excellent.

an old favorite, Joyce Cary's "The Horses Mouth.

I'm reading "A Travelers Companion to London: Vivid snapshots of the great city through the ages from letters, diaries, and memoirs." Edited by Thomas Wright. Interesting one and two page snippets from history.

Hi
I absolutely loved Fingersmith by Sarah Waters. Set mainly in Victorian London I found it completely absorbing. A great book for your flight over.
Peter Ackroyd is the acknowledged 'expert' on London, and his love and knowledge of the city is evident in his writing. His 'London, a Biography' is superb (recently made into a very well received BBC series over here). He has written many great books - you would probably enjoy Hawksmoor as well, especially if you are interested in churches and architecture.

You can't go wrong with Dickens. If you have read everything of his, you'll no doubt benefit by rereading :).

A relatively recent novel set in London's East End is Brick Lane, which is about a Bangladeshi immigrant family.

I read an absolutely wonderful book a while ago by Maureen Duffy - sorry, can't remember title, but check out the author. Also a lot of Peter Ackroyd's oeuvre - esp "Hawksmoor". And I think he has also done "London: A biography".

I haven't read it yet but would love to. If you do - let us have a review, please.

Maureen Duffy wrote a London trilogy, which I have, but sad to relate haven't looked at for years. I fear they may be out of print, but Amazon might be worth a try.

Andrea Levy's 'A Small Island' is another recent book about the immigrant experience (and the interplay between communities), as is Zadie Smith's 'White Teeth.'

An atmospheric thriller is King Solomon's Carpet (Barbara Vine = Ruth Rendell under another name).

If you want to stick with Victorian atmosphere and themes, try Matthew Kneale's 'Sweet Thames' or Andrew Martin's 'Necropolis Railway'.

For WW2 atmosphere, Elizabeth Bowen's 'The Heat of the Day'.

Or for fascinating oral history at the sharp end, Gilda O'Neill's 'My East End'.

If you like mysteries, Elizabeth George (whose Inspector Lynley is currently showing on PBS) and Deborah Crombie both have well researched novels some of which are set in London. The majority of their books are now in paperback. Both have websites.

London - by Edward Rutherford.

It starts out before the Roman's even are thinking about making the trek!...

Peter Ackroyd:

Dan Leno & the Limehouse Golem
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...622130-7099051

Clarkenwell Tales
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...622130-7099051

Hey, Londonholly,

I'd agree with Peter Ackroyd's London. Good to get you in the mood for your trip (thouth you definitely don't have much time to read it!)

What area of London will you be in?

I'll be there that week, as well. :-)

I just noticed that Peter Ackroyd wrote the introduction to the book I am reading, "A Travelers Companion to London."

One of my all time favorite books is "Forever Amber" by Kathleen Windsor. I read this book the first time when I was in high school. It's a fantastic romance novel set during the Plague and Great Fire. I could hardly put it down!

Thanks so much for so many good tips-I realised that Peter Ackroyds London is sitting in my book case-I totally forgot that I have it. I will start it today!

Travdog, I will stay in the Bayswater area-a classic among my family for years.

Keep the ideas flowing!

Be sure to say hello to Whiteley's for me. :-) Have a good time!

Anne Perry is a mystery novelist. She has two series of books set in the Victorian era. Each follows a differnt police officer (Thomas Pitt and William Monk) and his interesting life.

Great mysteries. She always leaves a surprise for the last few pages. Just when you think you have it all figured out. . .

Pick up Face of a Stranger to start the William Monk series. I can't remember which book starts the Thomas Pitt series, but I am sure you can find out at any bookstore.

Have fun!

I've read two books by Phillippa Gregory this year, "The Other Boleyn Girl" and "The Queen's Fool" and enjoyed both immensely, historical fiction set around the time of King Henry VIII and his children.

If we're talking historical detective stories, how about Peter Lovesey's Sergeant Cribb stories ('Wobble to Death', or the one set in the music halls) or the 'Bertie' series in which the future Edward VII turns detective? Great fun.