Nigel Packer

Now I must admit when I first started this book I didn't think I would manage to finish it, in fact I almost gave up until I read a few reviews saying that it does get better as the story goes on, and I am so glad that I continued with it.

In the book description it does state that this is funny, I did not particularly find anything funny about it really. Otto had just had another bout of surgery and needed to go back to London to save Marlowe House, and a documentary may do the trick, therefore he is interviewed for this documentary and meets residents of Marlowe House and ask their thoughts too. Now Otto left London and hadn't been back for twenty-five years so that in itself must have been quite daunting for him. When he lays eyes on Marlowe House and how different it was now from when it was first built his heart sank. It was ruined, almost beyond repair, it didn't look the same.
While filming the documentary and spending time in London he has a lot of reveries about time gone by, his childhood, how he met his first wife, where they lives, his son, things that went wrong and how he sadly lost his wife. But does he manage to save Marlowe House? You will have to read to find out.
I actually liked Otto, his flash backs to the past were quite emotional in places.
I would recommend this book and don't be put off like I almost was, it is a remarkable novel.
… (más)

Otto Laird was a visionary modernist architect who is now retired and living in Switzerland. When his iconic concrete social housing block, Marlowe House, is scheduled for demolition there is a campaign to award it listed status and Otto is persuaded to come back to London to take part in a documentary about the building, its design and residents. However returning to London causes Otto to reflect on his life, the choices and decisions he made and their effects the people around him. From his childhood hiding from the Nazis, his precocious study and his relationships with his wife and son, Otto's life is reflected in the life of Marlowe House.

This is a very enjoyable book, Otto is a flawed character but his life choices seem compatible with the fictional character. The metaphor of Marlowe House, its decline and the characters within it link in perfectly. The life during wartime is believable, as is Otto's decision to deny his Jewish heritage. Despite his infidelities his grief at the loss of his wife is profound and the reconciliation with his son is a result of both maturing.

Some readers may find this book a little glib or superficial but it's clever rather than too clever and that makes it a great read.… (más)