- Hardcover: 231 pages
- Publisher: Harpercollins; First U.S. Edition edition (Sep 1991)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0060166665
- ISBN-13: 978-0060166663
- Product Dimensions: 21.1 x 14 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 278,979 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
City of the Mind
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Product Description
Review
A glorious novel (Observer )
The descriptions of the London Blitz are achingly real (Sunday Telegraph )
Well crafted, complex, fascinating (Time Out )
Bold and beautiful, often witty, hopeful, enriching (Scotsman ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
The descriptions of the London Blitz are achingly real (Sunday Telegraph )
Well crafted, complex, fascinating (Time Out )
Bold and beautiful, often witty, hopeful, enriching (Scotsman ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Product Description
'This is the city in which everything is simultaneous. There is no yesterday, nor tomorrow, merely weather, and decay, and construction.'
In London's changing heartland, architect Matthew Halland is aware of how the past and the present blend. It stirs memories of his boyhood, the early years of his daughter Jane and the failed marriage that he has almost put behind him. Here too is the London of prehistory, of Georgian elegance, of the Blitz. But Matthew is occupied with constructing a new future for London in Docklands, and with it he begins to forge new beginnings of his own.
--This text refers to the Paperback edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Ambitiously the novel explores the intermingling of past, present and future - as indicated by its cover, a little girl contemplating the skeleton of a dinosaur.
Architect Matthew Halland loves London and is fascinated by all its reminders of long ago. He, more than most, is aware how the city is likely to evolve. In his eight year old daughter Jane he recognizes contributions made by himself and previous generations. She represents what is to come, everything a continuing process. Important to both is the exploration of the places around them - visits to the Natural History Museum and the Planetarium helping to show how mankind fits in to the overall scheme of things.
No ordinary novel this, but a conglomeration of images and memories. Full concentration is needed amidst all the travelling back and forth. Outstanding are those graphic reminders of the Blitz, harrowing depiction of what then was endured. Happier are the evocative descriptions of London landmarks, Covent Garden especially.
Yes, a climatic showdown with unscrupulous property developer Rutter would have greatly pleased, but that is not what the book is about. Instead it forever reminds us everybody and everything are in a transitional stage, the present enhanced by respect for the past which, in turn, may lead to a worthy future.
To be honest, I struggled a bit - at times more than a little confused. I am glad, though, I persevered - the effort rewarded and thoughts provoked.
Architect Matthew Halland loves London and is fascinated by all its reminders of long ago. He, more than most, is aware how the city is likely to evolve. In his eight year old daughter Jane he recognizes contributions made by himself and previous generations. She represents what is to come, everything a continuing process. Important to both is the exploration of the places around them - visits to the Natural History Museum and the Planetarium helping to show how mankind fits in to the overall scheme of things.
No ordinary novel this, but a conglomeration of images and memories. Full concentration is needed amidst all the travelling back and forth. Outstanding are those graphic reminders of the Blitz, harrowing depiction of what then was endured. Happier are the evocative descriptions of London landmarks, Covent Garden especially.
Yes, a climatic showdown with unscrupulous property developer Rutter would have greatly pleased, but that is not what the book is about. Instead it forever reminds us everybody and everything are in a transitional stage, the present enhanced by respect for the past which, in turn, may lead to a worthy future.
To be honest, I struggled a bit - at times more than a little confused. I am glad, though, I persevered - the effort rewarded and thoughts provoked.
14 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Our "hero" is an succesful architect with a failed marriage, one daughter and plenty of emotional baggage. The writer takes us on a journey through the city, viewed through the eyes of the architect as we move from prehistory to now, via Victoria and the Blitz.
The descriptions of the bombing runs on London during the forties, and the quest for the north west passage during the 19th century, are so real and so well written, that all you have to do is close your eyes to be there.
Whilst the present day of the book is a Jackson Pollocks' of emotions, painted with wit and vigour. The canvas being the building of Docklands, divorce and love over lunchtime.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As a recent convert to Penelope Lively's books, I must agree with fellow Amazon reviewers here who say that this one isn't one of the best. The story meanders rather aimlessly, and although the characters are as believable as ever, and the writing beautifully done and continually thought-provoking, something about the book just doesn't work.
In places, City of The Mind reminded me of something Peter Ackroyd might attempt, weaving the history of London and the lives of past and present into a narrative very much concerned with the moment. I think this is part of the problem with the book, but overall it's the general lack of direction of the main character that feels to be at fault. Whether in his dealings with a shadowy, sinister property developer, spending time with his daughter from an estranged marriage, or falling embarrassingly in love with a woman met in a chance encounter, the central character seems a little out of his depth, going nowhere - rather like the overall plot.
This is still a book that lingers in the mind though, and several of the points Lively makes about the passage of time, the ever-present impact of past decisions on the present, and the distinctions between loneliness and solitude give the work the feel of superior fiction.
In places, City of The Mind reminded me of something Peter Ackroyd might attempt, weaving the history of London and the lives of past and present into a narrative very much concerned with the moment. I think this is part of the problem with the book, but overall it's the general lack of direction of the main character that feels to be at fault. Whether in his dealings with a shadowy, sinister property developer, spending time with his daughter from an estranged marriage, or falling embarrassingly in love with a woman met in a chance encounter, the central character seems a little out of his depth, going nowhere - rather like the overall plot.
This is still a book that lingers in the mind though, and several of the points Lively makes about the passage of time, the ever-present impact of past decisions on the present, and the distinctions between loneliness and solitude give the work the feel of superior fiction.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
utterly boring - so unlike her other novels
I've read a few of Penelope Lively's other novels and particularly enjoy her short stories. So I was very disappointed to discover I wasn't enjoying this book at all. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Ms. K. J. Waghorn
Very Putdownable
It is a rare occasion when I can't finish a book but having ploughed through half of this one, I simply can't face reading any more of it. Read more
Published 18 months ago by breakwater100
Another good novel by this author
I liked this novel for various reasons. One reason was the overarching theme of London, its ever changing townscape, its people, its variety: like a kaleidoscope being swivelled... Read more
Published 20 months ago by H. M. Kingston
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