London Noir

Alerted to the publication of this book by a review written by Hampstead journalist Matthew Lewin (Camden New Journal, 21 Sep 2006), I bought a copy at my local bookshop. Short stories about crime and low life in Camden Town, where I have now lived for 42 years, and in nearby Kentish Town and King's Cross, made this book essential in my library of local fiction.

Film Noir is one of my favourite genres. The title of this book, London Noir, seemed to bring the genre to my doorstep. The strapline on the top of the front cover, from Publishing News, is absolutely right, "This is a London it's best to read about, rather than experience at first hand."

I can't say that I enjoyed this book. Whereas classic Film Noir is clever and classic crime show more fiction can draw one in, I am sorry to say that this collection of short stories did the opposite. Some of the crime depicted has the requisite twist and was cute, with some stories I was happiest when the short story was finished and, rare for me, sometimes found myself looking to see how many pages there were to go as I wanted the story over, right now!

I see daily in Camden Town some aspects of the more unpleasant side of people in Camden Town - mostly litter, drugs, drink, bad manners and low life. I found that I did not really want to read more about it in some of the short stories. It was not ideal bedtime reading! It may be real life that is depicted but, frankly, I'd rather not know about it.

Nevertheless, in poor old Dagenham, it was interesting to have a light shone on Skinheads, Racism and the British National Party. show less

I felt like the stories here gave a good sense of the city as a character, but none of the stories really stuck with me once I was done. There should be more to Noir stories than just grit and gloom, although this book certainly covers the grit and gloom; I just never felt any depth beneath them. Still, it was an easy read and it was nice to get a different, and more modern, literary perspective on London.

These stories are gritty, violent and thoroughly noir. But these stories are completely modern as well. No double crossin' dames who get taken down with a harsh word or a look from Mike Hammer. The characters in these stories are 20th century crooks and punks, taking advantage of every opportunity to get theirs. A good read, but keep the lights on and the doors locked. Whew! Scary.

a bunch of scummy stories about scummy people. you'd never know what a wonderful city london is.

A collection of dark short stories from London. Actually, more seedy than dark.
Read in Samoa Jun 2003