London

By Edward Rutherfurd

Ever wonder that tomorrow your kids might marry your sworn enemy’s kids and it wouldn’t even matter?

Sometimes we think about the purpose we each have in our lives and wonder what we do now, will it matter ever, 50 years, 100 years from now? But then we never live that long to find out. But wouldn’t it be nice.

This book gave me that – map of sorts, a feeling that what we do now, how we treat others now, how big we think now will have its effect years and years from now.
It also gave me that feeling that we are only specks in this rigmarole called life and today I might be a king, but tomorrow I might be a pauper hence it is important o have pluck which can be inherited and passed on and which will help you wherever you are or whatever you are. It’s a wonderful feeling trust me.

While this book talks about London since 57 BC, its not like a history book. There is not one dull moment while the author brings to life the variegated characters as they face the vicissitudes of life, helping build in their own ways the London as it stands now. It’s a book where Chaucer, Henry IV and Shakespeare some of the characters, the book gives a pictures of the life in their times.

Blended in with the history is a beautiful story of generations of the Barnikel, Ducket and Bull families and two others. When in one generation the Duckets are slaves, in another they are knighted.

Always giving you the feeling that life is full of surprises and one should be prepared with pluck and guts to take it as it comes - because a lot of things are not in our hands - this book is a must read.

I don’t think I can do justice to the 1300 pager book, I can only say – DON’T MISS IT and take time to read it.