Publisher's Synopsis
The essence of this little work of art is probably best summed up by one Mark Lewis-Jenkins in his 'Foreword' notes: ..".if you can dwell less on an undeniable undercurrent of melancholia, resist the temptation to be judgemental and just let the narrative flow, there are some engaging moments of amusement to enjoy in what is essentially a potted autobiography told through a fascinating anthology of short stories highlighting the absurdities observed in everyday situations - notably the workplace - during one man's search for his own identity whilst trying to come to terms with the recurring manifestation of a spectre from the past." Certainly, an unhappy school life, punctuated by some quite pernicious acts by members of the teaching profession, was not the soundest starting out point for a young man about to embark on a potentially perilous journey of self-discovery in the weird and wonderful world of grown-ups. Again, Mark Lewis-Jenkins hits the spot with his diagnosis of the boy's root problem: the fear of teachers, a phobia that never left him and which returned with a vengeance in later years when he entered the field of education. "Unlike most other phobias which seem to be largely inherent, I believe this one to be an acquired dislike, and as such, more credible in its rationale. Arguably, the condition is something which can affect most children at some stage during their early schooling but where it is allowed to become entrenched deep in the psyche, this fear factor can be the catalyst for rather more complex psychological developments." Therein, it seems, may lay the rub, for whilst the author's subsequent, minor skirmishes with the law and figures of authority in general, are in the main, merely mischievous, others wouldn't sit too uncomfortably in a category marked 'anti-social.' Profound regret by the protagonist on a decision that was literally life-changing, is the lynch-pin around which most of the narrative is built, exploring in depth the ramifications of a termination and its enduring legacy of guilt. Gladly, though, the book never allows itself to stew too long in negativity, being intermittently buoyed by the author's own hilarious tales from his newspaper days as well some remarkable fly-on-the-wall stories involving Royalty and icons of stage and film. In a nutshell, Laying to Rest the Ghost of Harley Street, is a good read, a little page-turner. Best consumed as it was intended....in one go.
