The Housing Lark
Penguin Modern Classics
by Sam Selvon
Narrated by Don Gilet
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Pub Date 15 Apr 2021 | Archive Date 16 Apr 2021
Penguin Random House UK Audio | Penguin Classics
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Description
Brought to you by Penguin.
Sitting in his cramped basement room in Brixton, Battersby dreams of money, women, a T-bone steak - and a place to call his own. So he and a group of friends decide to save up and buy a house together. But amid grasping landlords, the temptations of spending money and the less-than-welcoming attitude of the Mother Country, can this motley group of hustlers and schemers, Trinidadians and Jamaicans, men and women make their dreams a reality?
'Irreverent, spirited ... a seriously funny novel' New York Review of Books
'Selvon's meticulously observed narratives of displaced Londoners' lives created a template for how to write about migrant, and postmigrant, London for countless writers who have followed in his wake, including Hanif Kureishi and Zadie Smith' Caryl Phillips
© Sam Selvon 1965 (P) Penguin Audio 2021
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format, Unabridged |
| ISBN | 9780241524848 |
| PRICE | £7.50 (GBP) |
| DURATION | 4 Hours, 31 Minutes |
Links
Featured Reviews
Heather C, Reviewer
Leaving Trinidad and Jamaica for the motherland and all the streets paved with gold, except the harsh reality of London in the 1950s is a far cry from the image. Yes fortune to be made but by the landlords already renting out accommodation to the new and excited immigrants. With no benefit system to fall back on its survival of the fittest, landlords can choose who they want no black, no irish, no dogs! As harsh reality bites, the residents of one bed sit house decide to join together to buy their own house and beat the system. Hilarious at times, this story is a snapshot of what life would have been like and how inspirational ideas take a beating, the characters are well described and their personalities shine. Narration was authentic and really loved this book. Thank you #NetGalley for the audio copy.
Reviewer 541306
First published in 1965, The Housing Lark is a quick witted and spirited short read with a serious undertone.
The narrator does a great job at making each unique character come alive.
Reader S, Reviewer
The Housing Lark is a short book that centres around a group of West Indians living in 1960s Britain. Owing to the hideous price of rent in London (not much has changed!), these friends decide to band together to save enough money to get themselves a house. What follows is a beautifully depicted tale of friendship, hardship and strength in the face of adversity.
Don Gilet does a brilliant job of bringing this cast of friends to life and really added to the "reading" experience.
Sharon D, Reviewer
This Penguin Modern Classic audiobook reading by Don Gilet of the 1965 novel The Housing Lark is a delight. It captures the struggle and humour of the Windrush generation from the West Indies into Britain. The dialogue and observations are well-captured and delivered by the reader, in particular the beautiful patois of Battersby and Alphonse who are always looking out to make pound or two whist struggling with the weather, finding a room to rent, and indiscriminate racism. There is lots of sexual observations of the women characters but they are fully realised in their own right and are often given the upper hand.
Thanks to Penguin Random House UK Audio and Netgalley.
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