Great reading that provides a sense of the city, from the Traveler online Ultimate Travel Library.
|
THIS ARTICLE IS FROM
|
The Diary of Samuel Pepys (1660 to 1669) Witty, candid insights into Restoration London. Rich in indiscretions and infidelities, plus firsthand descriptions of historic milestones like the Great Fire and Great Plague.
London: The Biography, by Peter Ackroyd (2000) Sprawling, anecdotal, erudite 800-page overview of the city's evolution, from the Middle Ages to the late 20th century.
The Secret Agent, by Joseph Conrad (1907) "Dark, compulsive novel detailing the history of an anarchist bomb maker in London. Especially fascinating in light of the current paranoia about terrorism."—Mark Sladen, director of exhibitions, Institute of Contemporary Arts.
Put Out More Flags, by Evelyn Waugh (1942) Biting satire of English upper classes. As World War II looms, socialite Basil Seal misbehaves in Mayfair and plays dirty tricks at the Ministry of Information.
London Fields, by Martin Amis (1989) Visceral dissection of late 20th-century London by one of Britain's most formidable literary talents. Recounts the death foretold of Nicola Six. Is her killer dart-playing thug Keith Talent, or suave, sleazy banker Guy Clinch?
White Teeth, by Zadie Smith (2000) Smith's astonishingly assured debut (at age 24) chronicles three generations from three different families coming of age in North London. Sassy, vibrant portrait of modern, multicultural London.
