Matthew Kneale

A novel strongly based on the facts surrounding the Big Problem of clean water for London in the 1840s, and the cholera epidemics at the time. Matthew Kneale is steeped in the history of the time and wears his learning lightly. His solemn and slightly Pooterish hero, Joshua Jeavons, who is our narrator, makes the book amusing and a page turner. Aspects of the plot, his search for his missing wife for instance, were less interesting than his account of his search to impress his plans for sewage solutions on a reluctant world. It was a book that I was glad to read: I learnt quite a lot, and felt part of a deeply unpleasant London, its smells and sights. Not entirely convinced by the ending. Hmmm. It struck the only false note.… (mais)

In the late 13th century, a rag-tag bunch of pilgrims—each with their own goals and fears—sets out on the long journey from England to Rome. Matthew Kneale writes with verve and humour, and actually manages the feat of writing characters whose foibles and flaws come from their humanity rather than from the fact that they're stupid medieval people—sadly an approach all too rare in historical fiction. Whether Pilgrims works for you will likely depend on your sense of what's funny—if it doesn't click for you in the first few chapters, I wouldn't recommend continuing on because that's the main thing that keeps the book a somewhat propulsive read in spite of the fairly meandering plot—and your tolerance for people making poor decisions. But if you're in the mood for something gently Chaucerian, I think this might hit the spot. While I don't think any of the characters will remain with me for a long time, I did have fun while reading this.… (mais)

Thanks to Netgalley and Atlantic Books for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Rome Plague Diaries is a wonderful, personal reflection on what life is like living in Rome as the city went into lockdown in March 2020. Imagine from one day to the next being restricted to just a single postcode in Testaccio, restricted both in movement, habits and contacts with those around you. The author has an impressive knowledge and experience of what life is like living in Rome and discusses the many habits, quirks, subtleties and (sometimes flawed) cliches that outsiders have of life in and the inhabitants of the Eternal City as well as a multitude of delicious-sounding Italian recipes. They seem so simple, but probably the taste is also down to the superior ingredients which the author describes with gusto. The book ends in May 2020, but we know by now that the ravages of covid were at that time by no history, so this was just a temporary reprieve.

I try to visit Rome myself at least once every year, being completely in love with the city, and prefer to stay in Trastevere so Kneale's descriptions of his surroundings and experiences. sometimes witty, sometimes serious, are recognisable and highly relatable. I especially enjoyed the author's hypothetical wandering through the city, introducing well-known, but also lesser known sights of the city, which I'm sure to include in my itinerary next time I go. I also cherished his reflection on what it means to see the United Kingdom leave the (in many senses dysfunctional, but highly diverse) European Union, having lived outside of my place of birth for many years yourself. Having missed the opportunity of going to Rome this year, reading this book, I still feel I have been able to enjoy a virtual visit through the eyes of the author. Thank you so much.… (mais)