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No One Round Here Reads Tolstoy

Memoirs of a Working-Class Reader

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No One Round Here Reads Tolstoy

By: Mark Hodkinson
Narrated by: Mark Hodkinson
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Mark Hodkinson grew up among the terrace houses of Rochdale in a house with just one book. His dad kept it on top of a wardrobe with other items of great worth - wedding photographs and Mark's National Cycling Proficiency certificate. If Mark wanted to read it, he was warned not to crease the pages or slam shut the covers.

Today, Mark is an author, journalist and publisher. He still lives in Rochdale but is now snugly ensconced (or is that buried?) in a 'book cave' surrounded by 3,500 titles - at the last count. No One Round Here Reads Tolstoy is his story of growing up a working-class lad during the 1970s and 1980s. It's about schools (bad), music (good) and the people (some mad, a few sane) and pre-eminently and profoundly the books and authors (some bad, mostly good) that led the way and shaped his life. It's also about a family who just didn't see the point of reading, and a troubled grandad who, in his own way, taught Mark the power of stories.

In recounting his own life-long love affair with books, Mark also tells the story of how writing and reading has changed over the last five decades, starting with the wave of working-class writers in the 1950s and '60s, where he saw himself reflected in books for the first time.

©2022 Mark Hodkinson (P)2022 Canongate Books Art & Literature Cultural & Regional Journalists, Editors & Publishers Memoir
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His explanation of books he has read and their origins help to illuminate the culture of north England

Empathy shown by author toward others in the telling of his story

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I would love to hear your top 100 books. ,
Not what you think you should say, but simply what you love.

working class bibliophile

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I am glad that Mark Hodkinson has written this book. There are too few books written about growing up as a working-class person. Many of his childhood experiences sounded like myself 10 years earlier. I also agree with his thoughts on 'poets' and the literary establishment, thanks Mark for your courage to speak truth about these things. I learned a lot. I am just about to listen to the book again, I rarely do this, but I enjoyed the book so much.

A really good book, thoroughly recommended.

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In No One Round Here Reads Tolstoy I saw reflected my own experience of growing up in an almost bookless household. Hodkinson's imagery and sparks of comedy make it an enjoyable read, and his Northern, gravelly narration adds to its realism. For example, this description a school rubgy lesson in chapter four:

'...frozen February mornings in flimsy nylon shorts and shirts, shivering, skin turning red, turning blue. Then perhaps towards the end of double maths in the afternoon, you’d feel an unusual sinking sensation in your lower stomach. You’d clutch at your ball bag and find that they had finally returned: one, two.'

His timing and delivery of the 'one, two' in the audiobook is brilliant.

Another example is when Mark describes a visit to his friend's house and perceives the difference to his own:

'The house had a rich, pleasing odour comprised of furniture wax, coffee and pipe smoke. They had an antique wooden clock on the mantelpiece with a loud tick; it was so peaceful in there, the rhythm almost counted me down to sleep.'

These are just two examples of the many great scenes from this evocative memoir, redolent of late 20th century Northern England, but with an appeal that transcends it. I'll be keeping an eye out for anything else written by Mark in the future.

Great memoir - read it now!

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Having grown up in a working-class home close to Rochdale at around the same time as Mark Hodkinson, I was particularly intrigued by this book, and it didn't disappoint. At times poignant and humorous, while always remaining thought provoking, this book gave a sharply-observed view of its setting. By no means did I find myself always in agreement with Mark Hodkinson's opinions - Jane Austen IS magnificent - but I was always interested in his views.

A Paean to Reading

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