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melbsreads's review against another edition
4.0
An incredibly detailed yet entertaining and often funny look at the history of Victorian London. Each chapter is, in effect, its own self-contained section of the story and focuses on one aspect of Victorian society. Topics range from food to clothing to religion, transport, death, the Great Exhibition, and the royal family. Picard has covered every element of society in detail while still managing to make it interesting.
Though each chapter is effectively self-contained - which does make the end of the book seem a little strange when there's no conclusion, and the book just...ends - there are recurring characters (so to speak) throughout. Picard has pulled extensive information from letters, diaries and official documents from the time, and so those writers crop up again and again with their comments on various events or elements of society.
On the whole, it was surprisingly enjoyable.
Though each chapter is effectively self-contained - which does make the end of the book seem a little strange when there's no conclusion, and the book just...ends - there are recurring characters (so to speak) throughout. Picard has pulled extensive information from letters, diaries and official documents from the time, and so those writers crop up again and again with their comments on various events or elements of society.
On the whole, it was surprisingly enjoyable.
sophronisba's review against another edition
4.0
Somewhat unfocused, with no logical organization. Each chapter is pretty much self-contained. But entertainingly written and a treasure trove of information.
perrywolfecastle's review against another edition
4.0
Victorian London is an amazing academic work, but it is not just for academics. Historians will get loads from this book. So too would a writer looking for context to set their work in. Anyone with a slight interest in Victoriana would find worth in this book. Besides which, it's a good read even without a need for the historical knowledge contained within.
sirchutney's review against another edition
3.0
In this, the fourth in her series of London histories, Liza Picard runs through the everyday life of Londoners between 1840 - 1870; a time when the city was the heart of the British Empire and its inhabitants seemed to be buzzing with new ideas and inventions.
The book does a fine job of painting a vivid picture in the readers mind: smells, sights and sounds are all covered in huge detail using themed chapters, which are in themselves subdivided into smaller component parts. Religion, education, industry, fashion, amusements, prisons, death, punishment and everything in between are discussed with a subtle sense of humour. You are left with a deep, textural understanding of how real people lived their lives; you can almost hear their voices telling you about their daily chores, problems and grind.
I did however have a couple of criticisms: I personally felt that there was just too much information packed into the book: dates and events, both large and trivial were crammed together proving that while the author had completed a massive amount of research but with better editing, less repetition and a more critical assessment of what is presented then the text would have flowed so much better.
I also would have preferred less of a chronological organisation to the text; this may well just be my own personal preference and the way that my brain works? But these are only minor issues.
So, in conclusion I found Victorian London to be entertaining, full of enthusiasm and definitely worth buying especially if you like to read non-fiction and /or history for pleasure. Though the lack of a common thread or narrative distracted me I can still highly recommend this book. The readable prose strikes a sensible balance between entertainment and conveying a difficult and sprawling subject in a knowledgeable and educational way. All in all, a highly enjoyable read that made me feel glad to have not been born into such a chaotic society!
The book does a fine job of painting a vivid picture in the readers mind: smells, sights and sounds are all covered in huge detail using themed chapters, which are in themselves subdivided into smaller component parts. Religion, education, industry, fashion, amusements, prisons, death, punishment and everything in between are discussed with a subtle sense of humour. You are left with a deep, textural understanding of how real people lived their lives; you can almost hear their voices telling you about their daily chores, problems and grind.
I did however have a couple of criticisms: I personally felt that there was just too much information packed into the book: dates and events, both large and trivial were crammed together proving that while the author had completed a massive amount of research but with better editing, less repetition and a more critical assessment of what is presented then the text would have flowed so much better.
I also would have preferred less of a chronological organisation to the text; this may well just be my own personal preference and the way that my brain works? But these are only minor issues.
So, in conclusion I found Victorian London to be entertaining, full of enthusiasm and definitely worth buying especially if you like to read non-fiction and /or history for pleasure. Though the lack of a common thread or narrative distracted me I can still highly recommend this book. The readable prose strikes a sensible balance between entertainment and conveying a difficult and sprawling subject in a knowledgeable and educational way. All in all, a highly enjoyable read that made me feel glad to have not been born into such a chaotic society!
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