Books
by Matthew Kneale
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English Passengers |
Improbable eighteenth century adventure of a tall ship carrying smuggled goods escaping the grasp of British customs. The captain takes a group of paying religious historians all the way to Tasmania to find the Garden of Eden, which they believe lies there. Historical accuracy is mixed with lateral humour in a rich narrative told in turn by each of the main characters. If you like Louis de Bernières' contorted tales and sense of humour, you'll like this.
(Adam Swann - bwl 20 September 2003) |
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Sweet Thames |
In Sweet Thames, which takes place in London in 1849, the central character, engineer Joshua Jeavons, hopes to save his marriage by impressing his wife with his plans to drain the sewers and prevent impending cholera. The tale takes us for a tour among both the social and sewerage underworld of London. Again historically accurate and instructive, but the attempted humour in this earlier book is lost in the constraints of the story line.
(Adam Swann - bwl 20 September 2003) |
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When we were Romans |
Laurence is nine and trying to make sense of his increasingly chaotic world. His mother is suffering mental and marital breakdown and decides to drive to Rome with Laurence and his little sister. Their 'adventures' are narrated by Laurence, who has a fascination with emperors and science, illustrating how powerless we are when faced with events beyond our control. A deeply touching tragedy, but not everyone can cope with the weird spelling and grammar!
(Mary Standing - bwl 54 November 2009) |
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