Reading Man not quite the stranger
The Stranger in Reading is a 2005 Two Rivers Press edition of an original 1810 book. It contains 7 letters written, supposedly anonymously, by Reading long-time resident John Man. The book documents Man writing as if a stranger in Reading to a friend in London and includes a modern preface and editorial provided by Adam Sowan. Despite painting a not-quite desirable-place-to-live view of Reading Borough two centruies hence, the book is a thoroughly enjoyable read that has lead to the Wendy House strapline being updated.
The orginal book is prefaced by Sowans description of John Man and then by light, within-letter, explanatory annotations. The main text maintains the original creative punctuation and spelling. Sowan cites one example sentence as containing:
three colons, five semi colons and no fewer than thirty-two commas; yet it is surprisingly readable.
A theme throughout the book is the poor state of the contemporary paving, depite the Reading paving act providing the following penalities:
ten shillings, by every person leaving any carriage in the street, except whilst loading or unloading; driving a wheelbarrow on the footways; throwing dust, dirt, or rubbish in the streets. Five shillings, by all persons neglecting to sweep the foot-paths before their houses every morning (Sundays excepted) before 10 O’clock. pxxx
An enjoyable glimpse into history that has value beyond people who may be interested in Reading’s history alone. I discovered how MP’s were renumerated and elected to parliaiment and how ‘the corporation’ helped run Reading Borough.
June 8th, 2008
Having driven through Reading for the first time in 20 years recently I felt like a stranger. Having lived on the Oxford road for two years I had a hard job finding it – imagine what the Reading Man would feel like now !
cheers
mog
[reply]