In spite of pressure of work I have managed to finish another book. This one much more acceptable than the last. During the year 1933 J.B. Priestley took himself of on a journey through England to see what the land was like, an idea I would personally recommend to one and all. His book is still in print, in several versions apparently, and it appears to be worth a read. However, while it has never reached my reduced price shelf other versions of this trip have done so.
Beryl Bainbridge followed his route in the late 80s for a tv programme. The book she wrote about the series was one I could not put down, it was just not possible not to keep on turning the page. Beryl herself however, it must be said, was clearly stark, staring bonkers!
Stuart Maconie, possibly stark, staring bonkers also, decided he too would follow the route of his writing hero and produce of his thoughts also. While JBP wished to see 'England,' he like all English cared nothing for Scotland dragged into a fake union, he did not manage to see as much of England as he might have chosen to do. His well known route began at Southampton to Bristol and ventured through the Potteries, the Midlands, the North East and many stations in between, until he touched upon Norwich before he got bored.
Stuart follows the same route.
The author often pleads that he is a working class type from Wigan, yet he writes and indeed lives as a middle class London trendy, that's what fame and money do to you. His writing is easy though he does intersperse the sentences with long words that require a dictionary. Usually people who do this are attempting to indicate their education or status, snobbery is another word to use here, possibly of course this merely reveals my lack of education?
Stuart is also under the impression that 'England' is an island.
This is very annoying.
One problem the author faced was the end of the Covid lockdown regime. This made travel difficult at times.
The book begins slowly for me in Southampton. Once again get more information re pubs and eating habits than we do the town. He stutters his way through Bristol, Swindon and the Cotswolds until he hits the Potteries. Here, amidst the deprivation led by George Osborne's absurd 'austerity' which did not leave George in an austere situation, here the writing began to grab me. The descriptions of the area, the result of closing centuries old manufacturing, and the lack of real investment are clearly seen. From here on the book improves. Following a route of industrial decline almost everywhere up north the book ends in Norwich where better times can be had.
By the time I got to the end, now knowing almost every pub good or bad en route, and having accepted the working lad made good bit, and indeed enjoyed seeing places I may have passed through in another life long ago, this all made me consider this book well worth reading. Indeed, I am left wishing I had made more notes when I passed through distant places in the days of yore. I recommend those who are able to make a similar trip, there is at least magazine articles to be had if not books, and certainly many blog pages. Well worth it I say.
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