Chevalier vividly reconstructs 18th century London, particularly Lambeth - you can almost smell it. Jem and Maggie, bordering on adulthood but from different backgrounds and experiences, form the connection with Blake's 'Songs of Innocence and Experience'. Blake is their neighbour and influence. Whilst the book is beautifully written and researched, I was not completely satisfied by it, perhaps because, having seen the Blake exhibition, I wanted more about him and should have read a biography.
(Christine Miller - bwl 45 April 2008 ) |
