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Nigeyb's Reviews > Of Love and Hunger
Of Love and Hunger
by Julian Maclaren-Ross
by Julian Maclaren-Ross
I came to this book having read Paul Willetts's biography of Soho legend, Julian Maclaren-Ross, "Fear and Loathing in Fitzrovia". His was a hand to mouth existence, and - for anyone interested in the 1940s, and literary London - is well worth reading.
"Of Love and Hunger", Maclaren-Ross’s first full length novel, draws on his own experiences of living in Bognor Regis and working for Electrolux in Hove as a door to door vacuum salesman. In common with Patrick Hamilton, this is a world of casual work, drinkers, hardship and boarding-houses.
The story takes place during 1939. War looms and Maclaren-Ross evokes the sense of impending doom and transience. I really enjoyed it. Well observed characters populate the main story of a doomed love affair, that also features pettiness, snobbery, fascism, misanthropy, and humour. Whilst not quite up there with Hamilton's "Hangover Square" or "Slaves Of Solitude" (let's face it - what is?), it is nonetheless a compelling, enjoyable read filled with great period detail. The short epilogue, three years on from the main story, beautifully brings together the threads of the ensuing War and the personal lives of the main characters. A minor classic.
After reading this, I am really looking forward to the two other books by Julian Maclaren-Ross that I also purchased off the back of "Fear and Loathing in Fitzrovia" - "Selected Stories" and "Memoirs of the Forties".
"Of Love and Hunger", Maclaren-Ross’s first full length novel, draws on his own experiences of living in Bognor Regis and working for Electrolux in Hove as a door to door vacuum salesman. In common with Patrick Hamilton, this is a world of casual work, drinkers, hardship and boarding-houses.
The story takes place during 1939. War looms and Maclaren-Ross evokes the sense of impending doom and transience. I really enjoyed it. Well observed characters populate the main story of a doomed love affair, that also features pettiness, snobbery, fascism, misanthropy, and humour. Whilst not quite up there with Hamilton's "Hangover Square" or "Slaves Of Solitude" (let's face it - what is?), it is nonetheless a compelling, enjoyable read filled with great period detail. The short epilogue, three years on from the main story, beautifully brings together the threads of the ensuing War and the personal lives of the main characters. A minor classic.
After reading this, I am really looking forward to the two other books by Julian Maclaren-Ross that I also purchased off the back of "Fear and Loathing in Fitzrovia" - "Selected Stories" and "Memoirs of the Forties".
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Reading Progress
| 06/27/2012 | page 3 |
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1.34% | "I really enjoyed the biography of Julian Maclaren-Ross by Paul Willetts. It's now time to sample some of the man's work. Excited." |
| 06/27/2012 | page 37 |
|
16.52% | "A cracker. Like Patrick Hamilton, JMR has an eye and an ear for the everyday, in particular for dialogue. And, like Hamilton, he draws upon his own experiences, to create a realistic slice of life at the dawn of WW2. Great stuff." |
Comments (showing 1-5 of 5) (5 new)
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Nigeyb
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rated it 4 stars
Jun 29, 2012 02:22am
JMR website... http://www.julianmaclaren-ross.co.uk/
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Petra X wrote: "It was a 4* read for me too."Just read your review. I notice you named checked Lynne Reid Bank's The L-Shaped Room. I plan to read that in the near future. Bleak chic, indeed.
I hope you enjoy it. Out of the books I mentioned, I think A Far Cry from Kensington is the best. But bleak, yes. What can you expect of anything set in an English boarding-house?
Petra X wrote: "Out of the books I mentioned, I think A Far Cry from Kensington is the best."Thanks Petra. I have added "A far cry from Kensington" to my to read list. My local library service has a copy too - always a good sign.
Petra X wrote: "But bleak, yes. What can you expect of anything set in an English boarding-house?"
True. Have you read Craven House? It's splendid - check out my review. Or, even better still, The Slaves of Solitude. Patrick Hamilton is the undisputed master of Boarding House lit - and one of my favourite writers. If you've not sampled him then don't delay.
Another boarding house classic is London Belongs to Me. Again, have a look at my review for more info.
