London Clay cover art

London Clay

Journeys in the Deep City

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London Clay

By: Tom Chivers
Narrated by: Tom Chivers
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

What secrets lie beneath a city?

Tom Chivers follows hidden pathways, explores lost islands and uncovers the geological mysteries that burst up through the pavement and bubble to the surface of our streets. From Roman ruins to a submerged playhouse, from an abandoned Tube station to underground rivers, Chivers leads us on a journey into the depths of the city he loves.

A lyrical interrogation of a capital city, a landscape and our connection to place, London Clay celebrates urban edgelands: in-between spaces where the natural world and the metropolis collide. Through a combination of historical research, vivid reportage and personal memoir, it will transform how you see London, and cities everywhere.

©2021 Tom Chivers (P)2021 Penguin Audio Archaeology Sociology Urban

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Critic reviews

"Tom Chivers, with the forensic eye of an investigator, the soul of a poet, is an engaging presence; a guide we would do well to follow." (Iain Sinclair, author of The Last London)

"It's entertaining, enlightening and deeply moving. You will learn something about London and a good deal about life." (Justin Webb)

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Most relevant
Chivers obviously loves London and his take on the mysterious underworld of the city is fascinating. After the first couple of chapters I had high hopes for ‘London Clay’ but, unfortunately, it becomes a veritable tsunami of poetic lyricism (see…..!) and loses its sharpness and focus so much so that, to me, it became a trial. Returned the book..!

Curate’s Egg

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Part history, part geography, part memoir. London fascinates me so this was an enjoyable listen, a nice relaxing listen.

Not sure how to describe this one, but I enjoyed it!

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The story of the rivers, the geology, the history is fascinating. There’s too much ‘personal’ stuff that doesn’t add much and also rambling irrelevant bits (eg section on Mumbai). The narration also has some jarring pacing/pronunciation/emphasis so the sentences sound unnatural. I have enjoyed much of it but do feel editing would have made this better. If you love London and its history you will probably be able to get over the problems!

Needs a good edit

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An eclectic mix of geography, history, folklore, culture, geology, magic and art. I loved this book from start to finish and was quite sorry to finish it. I will definitely be back to listen again, I’m sure there will be things I’ve missed.

Charming and Enthralling

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My fault for not reading summary. Though was geology, but just the author living in London, giving history lessons. Sure it is interesting if you live in London, but I don't.

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