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kjcharles's review
A really interesting look at how black and Asian writers have written London through time. Spectacular depth and knowledge here showing the cultural and imaginative impact of BAME writers, from grubby firebrand radicals like the Spencean Wedderburn to visiting maharajahs, and then getting in depth on 20th century writers, both the big names and some I've never heard of.
Well written albeit in a modern-litcrit style (which is to say I had to look up quite a few words). NB the author uses slurs (not *as* slurs obviously) and includes writing about people of colour from many sources, some of which is horrifically, nauseatingly racist, so be aware.
Very much the sort of book that ends up full of highlighter, and I am now about to go on a shopping binge.
Also I'm just going to put this here for the "people of colour didn't exist in Regency England!!!" crowd, from Wordsworth's Prelude, section about London:
Well written albeit in a modern-litcrit style (which is to say I had to look up quite a few words). NB the author uses slurs (not *as* slurs obviously) and includes writing about people of colour from many sources, some of which is horrifically, nauseatingly racist, so be aware.
Very much the sort of book that ends up full of highlighter, and I am now about to go on a shopping binge.
Also I'm just going to put this here for the "people of colour didn't exist in Regency England!!!" crowd, from Wordsworth's Prelude, section about London:
The begging scavenger, with hat in hand;
The Italian, as he thrids his way with care,
Steadying, far-seen, a frame of images
Upon his head; with basket at his breast
The Jew; the stately and slow-moving Turk,
With freight of slippers piled beneath his arm!
Enough;—the mighty concourse I surveyed
With no unthinking mind, well pleased to note
Among the crowd all specimens of man,
Through all the colours which the sun bestows,
And every character of form and face:
The Swede, the Russian; from the genial south,
The Frenchman and the Spaniard; from remote
America, the Hunter-Indian; Moors,
Malays, Lascars, the Tartar, the Chinese,
And Negro Ladies in white muslin gowns.
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