Smoothly From Harrow: A Compendium for the London Commuter by Chris Moss
| Smoothly From Harrow: A Compendium for the London Commuter by Chris Moss | |
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| Category: Anthologies | |
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Reviewer: Sue Magee
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| Summary: An engaging and thought-provoking collection of facts, prose, poetry and even the occasional picture which will delight the London commuter - if they're still capable of being delighted, that is. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 240 | Date: October 2013 |
| Publisher: Blue Guides | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-1905131624 | |
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If you want to get behind what commuting is really like - not in an academic or a political way, but from the perspective of having your hand through a strap and wishing that the man next to you wasn't quite so enamoured of Brut aftershave - then you need a travel journalist. Step forward (but mind the gap), Chris Moss, who writes regularly for the Daily Telegraph and has done the same for the Guardian, Independent and various magazines. Most importantly, he's commuted from Camberwell, Camden, Hackney, Harrow, Herne Hill, Surbiton and Tooting. Personally, I think he deserves a medal.
It's a neat idea: a collection of pieces, some by Moss but most by a very varied selection of authors, which shed light on what it's like to commute. There are some factual interludes, such as the one showing the comparative pay of various professions with a barrister at the top and a barista at the bottom (neat, no?). I'm not going to give you the figures but the driver of your tube train probably earns less than 10% of what the barrister earns - but about 50% more than a nurse. No - I'm not going to comment! There's also a timeline which recurs at regular intervals throughout the book, pinpointing the dates of various events broadly related to transport. I couldn't believe that it was nearly forty years since The Good Life introduced us to the joys of Surbiton.
Another recurring theme is The City Gent: Stripped looking at various items of apparel, from the bowler hat right down to the slippers which he wears of an evening. Like most other pieces in the book they're about a page or two in length, sharply written and sufficient to engage you even on a relatively short journey. The book is divided into nine main sections, with each section probably being enough for a longer journey. It's the curse of the reviewer that you end up reading a book from cover to cover when a book like this one is best dipped into, as your mood - or time available - suits you. It's the perfect size to keep in a pocket or a bag and you can always be certain of a good read.
My favourite piece? Well, it's Julian Barnes on Metroland where he comments on the fact that many people lived in certain areas because they were easy to get out of. My only quibble about the book? Well, I wasn't impressed by the index when I struggled to find that piece by Julian Barnes.
I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.
If this book appeals then you might also enjoy London: The Concise Biography by Peter Ackroyd, but if it's going to be a very long journey, then have a look at our Top Ten Books About London. You might also find What You Need to Plan Your Next Trip to London useful if you're going for a longer stay.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Smoothly From Harrow: A Compendium for the London Commuter by Chris Moss at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy Smoothly From Harrow: A Compendium for the London Commuter by Chris Moss at Amazon.com.
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