Commentary/review

Only a part of the series is available in audiobook format on my apps, which is a pity. I laughed a lot, developed an emotional attachment to the characters and was able to imagine a non-existent London in my head, with enormous bridges, a sentient river, and lovely eccentrics crossing it while making some profound remarks and a joke. The books convey a true appreciation for the English language, culture and attitude towards life – which, I find, simply comes down to witty, good-natured stoicism. It is good thing that such books continue to appear as they are not easy to write. These books are not a plot with an elaborate writing method and some themes but are filled with all kinds of small additions which altogether seem more like a rich forest than a manicured garden. The stories manage to capture the vibe of the present time without making it a commodity. Perhaps this is what art is about – to create a self-contained picture that is ready to speak on its own without relating to the things everyone know about. In a couple of decades, people will not know what we know now. Yet, I believe, they will still be able to like Arthur Bryant and laugh at Raymond Land’s antics.

Interestingly enough, the lector’s performance is very enjoyable even though it is full of little slips, dialogues read with a voice from a different character, voices reused for other characters (and confusing me greatly) and so on. I suppose these books are not easy to read but the lector managed to enjoy himself – and, in turn, we also do. A life lesson there.

The covers are, frankly, awful. They are not composed, there is no art in them. AI would do a better job.

Cover photo by Sam Quek on Unsplash