Our pick of Great London Literary Works

The British Library’s Writing Britain: Wastelands to Wonderlands exhibition opened recently showcasing over 150 great literary works permeated by Britain’s landscape. Celebrating how our natural geography has inspired centuries of groundbreaking literature the exhibition is accompanied by an online ‘Pin-a-Tale’, in which anyone can ‘pin’ favourite works to parts of the country. With London well known for both its evocative landscape and generation of great works of fiction, we thought we’d offer some of our own suggestions (with the help of some of our subscribers).

A Week in December by Sebastian Faulks

Sebastian Faulks’ novel follows the lives of seven characters caught up in the maelstrom of modern urban life. From a hedge-fund manager to a schoolboy hooked on skunk and reality TV, Faulks’ characters reflect the diversity of London life, as well as the complexities and difficulties of social distancing. Described as a ‘state of the nation’ novel, A Week in December strikes at the heart of what it means to be a Londoner in the twenty-first century. An expert examination of what the capital can mean to so many people.

Wise Children by Angela Carter – Brixton

Chorus girl twins Dora and Nora and their extended circle of family both blood and adopted embody the eccentric character of London. With their home a ramshackle old guest house in Brixton it contains a varied history that is in tune with the constantly evolving culture that surrounds it. Fairy tales, Shakespeare and the surreal combine to give the novel a carnivalesque feel that reflects the vibrancy of London.

Saturday by Ian McEwan – Fitzrovia

A content and comfortable family man goes about his daily chores in London while pondering the post-modern world. A sudden and seemingly random disturbance from a violent stranger unbalances him, disrupting his sense of security in his neighbourhood. The fragile barrier between the classes in a city so packed with people is left troubled.

Danny Wallace

Comedic literature doesn’t get more ‘London’ than the oeuvre of Danny Wallace. His novels follow him from humble beginnings in the East End to domestic bliss further West, and with each page any self-respecting Londoner feels a pang. These books are brilliant because (they are funny, but also...) either knowingly or not Wallace encourages not only recognition, but surges of warmth for those London landmarks the tourists don’t get to hear about: your local, the 36 bus, or the curry house on the end of your road - the London we all know but never understood how much we love.

The Black Album by Hanif Kureishi – Kilburn

A student explores his independence in the capital in this coming of age story. Sahid, a second generation Pakistani immigrant, is confused and excited by the forces conjured by the city. Western liberal culture, Islamic fundamentalism and eighties drug culture all influence and intoxicate him on his journey of self exploration which is framed by the metamorphosing city.

Spies by Michael Frayn – West London

This coming-of-age story follows a man reminiscing about his childhood during the war. At a young age, him and a friend suspect that a neighbour may be assisting a German spy, and proceed to make investigations. The novel expertly imbues the atmosphere of suspicion and uncertainty which dominated the country during these years, juxtaposing this with the supposed suburban utopia of West London.

Writing Britain: Wastelands to Wonderlands is open at the British Library until 25^th September.

You can find the British Library’s ‘Pin-a-Tale’ map here.

Image credits (in sequential order): Michiel Jelijs, Axel Drainville, Kyle Taylor, Pierre Metivier, Nico Hogg, Adam Hodgson