David Fathers

This is a lovely little book, which I borrowed from the library in anticipation of my trip to London. I didn’t get around to reading it before (or during) the trip, but after reading the latest in the Rivers of London series of novels I found I still had the book out, so I figured I might as well read it. And I’m glad I did! As I read through it I found myself swinging between regret at all the interesting places I didn’t see on our trip, and fascination at all the points I did encounter. The book is laid out like a walking guide, with paths the reader can follow and landmarks to note along the way. It especially notes utilities and industrial sites, parks, churches, residential properties of various kinds, pubs, and manholes where an observant walker can hear hidden rivers, which continue to flow even after being buried deep beneath city streets. London is fascinating to me as an example of vital and dynamic human civilization—where modern construction occurs right next to 1,000 year old buildings. Humans have always worked to manipulate and control natural water sources, and have used them mercilessly for our own noxious purposes, but if nothing else, this book shows how irrepressible rivers can be. They can be diverted, culverted, and buried, but they cannot be killed. I saw several bridges in London—notably at Camden Market—that actually conceal rivers, contained in pipes and forced above the ground, incorporated into structures built for human purpose, but accommodated, because if they are not, they will find some way to carry on despite humans. I love everything about this book, and I hope to go back to London someday, and see some of what it illustrates, with my own eyes.… (mehr)

Now, this is a charming little book if you like murder and mayhem that is. Also good if you enjoy a bit of London history. This book takes you on various walking tours through London and points out where various crimes took place. Some of the buildings are there anymore but you get the idea. The section has a map and the loveliest little drawings. At first, I thought I would not like the drawings but I grew to like them and I think they added rather than subtracted from the book. The book was packed full of every kind of murder and law-breaking from the murder of the first police officer to gangland murders. The saddest to me was the beating and starving to death of a little girl named Frances in 1829, a workhouse orphan, who was apprenticed out to a lacemaker. I guess the abuse of these children was commonplace. This book was great because the entries were short, perfect to read between chores. Also great to read in quarantine when I was feeling restless and could not concentrate. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a chance to read this interesting book.… (mehr)