The best books set in London for all ages
England’s history as a colonizing force makes it no surprise that the country’s capital is a true melting pot of cultures. Although most countries have now gained independence (like Malta, our previous literary trip), this history makes the topic of identify particularly rich as a point of conversation. Many of the works below address the topic of identity as it relates to London; from the immigrant experience, to the plagues that destroyed city dwellers, to covert sexualities.
Top pick for books set in London
I began my journey to London with NW by Zadie Smith but in casual conversation, a friend suggested White Teeth might be a better pick for the city. She was absolutely right. White Teeth depicts the estuary which is the immigrant experience. In this novel we get an intimate look into the lives of the Bangladeshi Samad Iqbal and the Englishman Archie Jones; their lives as individuals, as husbands, and as fathers. Smith writes in the most human way we experience life - even in moments of gut-wrenching frustration or loss, there is deep humor. I haven’t ever laughed out loud quite this much while reading a book.
White Teeth
By Zadie Smith
Community picks for books set in London
From being the home for many English-language writers to being a top location for travel, it’s quite normal to see London appear so extensively throughout literature. Here, we’ve included some top picks (thanks to rave reviews, community suggestions, and award winners) for different age groups. Most of the Young Adult novels could be equally lovely reads for adults; they’ve simply been grouped so that teenagers can find more relevant books for their trip. If you have a recommendation for us, we’d love to have you recommend it!