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The Hooligan Nights
Clarence Rook (1863-1915) was a British journalist, novelist, and writer of short, witty sketches of Edwardian London and its inhabitants. He was most admired for his novel of working-class life The Hooligan Nights (1899). From 1896 to 1908 he practiced the craft of casual journalism. "This is neither a novel, nor in any sense a work of imagination. Whatever value or interest the following chapters possess must come from the fact that their hero has a real existence. I have tried to set forth, as far as possible in his own words, certain scenes from the life of a young criminal with whom I chanced to make acquaintance, a boy who has grown up in the midst of those who gain their living on the crooked, who takes life and its belongings as he finds them, and is not in the least ashamed of himself. "
170 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1899
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 3, 2011
Interesting one, this. Lee Jackson of victorianlondon.org decided to use some of his archive of digitised Victoriana to raise a bit of money to help support the site and put this for sale as a Kindle book for the minimum price of 86p. So I thought I’d give it a try.
Rook was apparently a Victorian journalist and this book claims to be a true account of his conversations with a young Lambeth criminal called Alf — a ‘hooligan’ when that word was new. It is what you might expect from a journalist writing about a colourful lowlife for a popular audience; that sensationalism makes it a genuine page-turner, but it comes with the usual scepticism about writers who seem more interested in a good story than accuracy. It seems pretty safe to say that it’s not actually ‘true’; it’s harder to judge whether it’s a realistic portrayal of that way of life.
However, read as a novel, it’s entertaining stuff. Alf is a classic anti-hero, charismatic and largely amoral, displayed for the prurient pleasure of the reader. It must have been fairly racy stuff in 1899; sex is only really hinted at with references to the number of Alf’s romantic entanglements, but there’s a plentiful supply of violence, crime, colourful slang and a general lively seediness.
It’s also fun for me personally that it’s all south London: the action all takes place in Clapham, Vauxhall, Elephant and Castle, Peckham Rye. The centre of this particular universe is Lambeth Walk, which was then a street market and is presented as a place where all human life is present — his descriptions of it read like a tourist visiting a middle eastern souk. The road called Lambeth Walk is still there, but the market is gone, and judging by Google street view, what is left is a very quiet and undistinguished local street. You can still see the Victorian buildings along one side, but thanks to some combination of the Luftwaffe and Lambeth planning department, the other side of the road is all large housing developments and so the feel of the street is quite gone.
It’s odd to think about how some of these places have changed. I was surprised to learn once that earlier in the C19th the roughest, most dangerous ghetto in London, where the police would only go in groups, was… Seven Dials. Which is now part of the overflow of Covent Garden, mainly consisting of quirky little fashion outlets, cafes and the like.
Anyway, at this point I’m just rambling. So I will stop.
Rook was apparently a Victorian journalist and this book claims to be a true account of his conversations with a young Lambeth criminal called Alf — a ‘hooligan’ when that word was new. It is what you might expect from a journalist writing about a colourful lowlife for a popular audience; that sensationalism makes it a genuine page-turner, but it comes with the usual scepticism about writers who seem more interested in a good story than accuracy. It seems pretty safe to say that it’s not actually ‘true’; it’s harder to judge whether it’s a realistic portrayal of that way of life.
However, read as a novel, it’s entertaining stuff. Alf is a classic anti-hero, charismatic and largely amoral, displayed for the prurient pleasure of the reader. It must have been fairly racy stuff in 1899; sex is only really hinted at with references to the number of Alf’s romantic entanglements, but there’s a plentiful supply of violence, crime, colourful slang and a general lively seediness.
It’s also fun for me personally that it’s all south London: the action all takes place in Clapham, Vauxhall, Elephant and Castle, Peckham Rye. The centre of this particular universe is Lambeth Walk, which was then a street market and is presented as a place where all human life is present — his descriptions of it read like a tourist visiting a middle eastern souk. The road called Lambeth Walk is still there, but the market is gone, and judging by Google street view, what is left is a very quiet and undistinguished local street. You can still see the Victorian buildings along one side, but thanks to some combination of the Luftwaffe and Lambeth planning department, the other side of the road is all large housing developments and so the feel of the street is quite gone.
It’s odd to think about how some of these places have changed. I was surprised to learn once that earlier in the C19th the roughest, most dangerous ghetto in London, where the police would only go in groups, was… Seven Dials. Which is now part of the overflow of Covent Garden, mainly consisting of quirky little fashion outlets, cafes and the like.
Anyway, at this point I’m just rambling. So I will stop.
March 23, 2018
An entertaining and informative glimpse of the past.
I am currently researching the 19th century London underworld. Of all the material I have examined this was the most enjoyable. Alf, the main subject is a loveable rogue who one cannot help sympathizing with despite his several despicable practices.
I am currently researching the 19th century London underworld. Of all the material I have examined this was the most enjoyable. Alf, the main subject is a loveable rogue who one cannot help sympathizing with despite his several despicable practices.
January 28, 2017
Walked the streets of 1890's Lambeth with young Alf -- a chancer and a survivor. Enjoyable and atmospheric.
May 5, 2011
Clarence Rook (apparently not a pseudonym in spite of ‘C. Rook’ being a fun coincidence with the subject matter) is a journalist claiming to have interviewed Young Alf, a criminal who has outsmarted the coppers for so long that he’s an old hand at the age of 17. During their meetings, Young Alf describes all the scams and dodges he uses to get by without doing any honest work.
You need to suspend disbelief to accept that Young Alf would trust the narrator with so much information about his activities, but his tales are full of criminal ingenuity, and he is a charismatic character whose occasional flashes of morality make him more than just a caricature.
I really enjoyed this book - it has lots of larger-than-life colour from under which some of the truth of Victorian London emerges. The ending, while heartwarming on the surface, has a dark side, and hints at the reality of life in a community where survival is everything.
You need to suspend disbelief to accept that Young Alf would trust the narrator with so much information about his activities, but his tales are full of criminal ingenuity, and he is a charismatic character whose occasional flashes of morality make him more than just a caricature.
I really enjoyed this book - it has lots of larger-than-life colour from under which some of the truth of Victorian London emerges. The ending, while heartwarming on the surface, has a dark side, and hints at the reality of life in a community where survival is everything.
December 25, 2023
Victorian young offenders adventures
In the pre-tag days a young offender recounts his exploits to the author, good times and bad, loads of Victorian slang (a handy guide is supplied on the last page though) very good overall
In the pre-tag days a young offender recounts his exploits to the author, good times and bad, loads of Victorian slang (a handy guide is supplied on the last page though) very good overall
April 16, 2014
I'll file this on the bookshelf beside Richard Allen's Suedehead and Knuckle Girls - sensationalist pulp about youths who enjoy a tasty bit of tea-leafing and violence. 'Ealthy, ain't it?
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews