Books reviewed by Adam Swann
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English Passengers by Matthew Kneale |
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.
(bwl 20 September 2003) |
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Sweet Thames by Matthew Kneale |
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.
(bwl 20 September 2003) |
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