You had us at the title! Perfect summer reading is Martin Sheppard’s entertaining history of Primrose Hill. It’s a more concise version of his collector’s item hard back and available at all good cafes, estate agents and bookshops in the village!
Martin focuses just on the hill, starting with the geology and then explaining the ownership and how the area evolved as London changed. Would there be a giant pyramid atop the hill, a bust of Shakespeare (see London through the great bard’s eyes) or simply duel after duel?
The one thing that did not change during the centuries was the attraction to everyone of walking to the top. From druids to Lenin, dalmatians to martians, Martin unveils a rich history of everyday weekend life for many Londoners to popping over to Primrose Hill. Paddington Bear does not feature as, though filmed in the area, he is one of the few great icons of our national life that has no historic record of sallying forth.
This is a book about a hill that is simply fun. Thanks to Martin’s clever meanderings on the social context of the time, I finally understood the nature of druids; though the character imprinted on the pinnacle of the hill does not come out of this well! And like everyone in the United Kingdom the hill had its place defending the country during the second world war.
We loved the photos and drawings. Martin did a great job sourcing these and again provides uniquely illustrative of how London people have lived their lives as the city has grown and grown. The photo of Sylvia Plath on the hill will live with me forever. And the acknowledgements are very kind at a time of so much sadness for the author. The happiness, fun and interest Martin has had in and around Primrose Hill clearly inspired the book and those feelings shine through forming a reflective testimony to the love he shared with his forever missed wife, Lucy.
The only item missing is a picture of the dogs! However you can see them below!
