Angel Pavement

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This book is firmly rooted in time and place, London during the economic depression of 1929 and 1930. I found this book a little disappointing as it never seemed to get anywhere and eventually destroyed all its characters. Although not a Londoner I was led to this one by references in a book showing Thames-side photos taken in 1938 beside more recent views - and what a lucky turn of events! This novel is very much character driven and gives an interesting insight into pre war life and in many ways shows how the hopes, fears and views of people have not changed as much as it may sometimes seem. In fact, at points the Dickens set pieces and face-offs begin more and more to resemble the more latter-day style of absurdity meeting staunch postwar reserve.

Angel Pavement may sound colourful and romantic as an address, but, in truth, it is a typical City side street, except that it is shorter, narrower and dingier than most. Appearances on radio programmes such as Radio 1 Club and Sounds of the Seventies helped to bring their name to the public attention but not increase record sales, resulting in Fontana electing to pass on further releases.The novel’s principal assertion – one of meagre comfort to the British people, facing ten years’ grinding ‘austerity’ (i. Apart from Candy, who later became a member of folk/rock outfit Decameron and a subsequent splinter project, the Johnny Coppin Band, as well as session work, none of the others maintained a full-time career in music.

There is something ‘faintly piratical’ about Golspie, but he gains the confidence of the gullible Dersingham. Parents struggle to understand their children, celebrities are feted in the papers and individuals dream of a future that may or may not be attainable. It was fascinating then to see Priestley turn this slowly on its head so that they all became dimensional -- and how in some cases-- and what could have been a pat, happy ending (which I sort of wanted.

The Great Depression provides a sombre backdrop and gives the events of the novel added poignancy and impact.

I did find the repeated references to Jews, negatively (and some weird reference to Indian) to be off putting.S. Evans, Priestley's editor at Heinemann, it was begun in October 1929 and completed in April 1930.