Whilst on my honeymoon last year I started to read this amazing book by Will Self called The Book of Dave. It was hard to read at first due to the way the accents were written, but this year whilst in Newquay camping I managed to finish it.
Its a great book, very well written, and most of all its fun. Its based upon the rants of despressed london cabbie on the brink of a meltdown. He somehow manages to create a new order and burry it in Hampstead Heath. 500 years or so later, after London has flooeded due to global warming, the residents of Hamstead Heath, now an Island called Ham, discover his ramblings and make him there god.
The story delves in and out of the past and present in differeing orders, but its so well written, and with such detail…my home town of High Wycombe (named Wyc) is featured…I couldn’t put the book down.
I have the hard back edition that you can still get from Amazon.
I agree, it’s a tough book to get into but I found it incredibly moving and somehow, in some strange way, transforming as well. A deep read for sure.
Its made me start looking for other Will Self novels, as I haven’t read his work before. I think he was on BBC Breakfast when he launched this book, which is the only reason I bought it.
Hi,
A few years ago I’d read about My Idea of Fun, supposedly it’s sick and strange and something of my cup of tea, but for some reason never picked it up.
You might find this of interest.
http://www.worldhum.com/qanda/item/will_self_on_psychogeography_and_the_places_that_choose_you_20071217/
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/06/books/06walk.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
Thanks for the links, it certainly does interest me, I have enjoyed reading the articles.
I have never heard of psychogeography but its very interesting. I am going to read more about it.