London Fields

I recommend this book because, to me, it is unique–I’ve never read a book like it. It’s an interesting plot, end-of-the-world stuff, with some very unlikeable, low-life characters. It’s set in a very dark version of London that I know and love, in a pub environment similar to the one that I grew up in.

There is murder on the cards throughout the story, but the author still manages to squeeze in some humor. It’s just a different style of writing that I think people should give a try.

I was about nineteen when I first read London Fields. My experience up until that point had been that books could be funny, of course, but only if they were silly.

When a ‘proper’ book was also said to be a laugh riot, that meant it had Latin puns in it. London Fields was both deadly serious and utterly hilarious. Reading it was like watching someone flap their wings and actually take off. I didn’t know such a thing could be done.

With that one book, Martin Amis picked me up and put me in his pocket, where I have… show more.

I was working as a waitress in a cocktail bar, wait a minute, no, I was working as a copywriter in a Queensway ad agency when I read London Fields on the recommendation of a friend (thanks, Rob!) The book was set in the same area of west London as the agency office (Bayswater, Westbourne Grove), a really lively area with boutique shops that seldom had more than one item in the window and eateries with super-stylish but ultimately uncomfortable stools. I love that Amis is never afraid to show the world his plentiful writing skills, and Keith Talent is… show more.