Nottingham has an impressive history when discussing literature, with the City playing home to some World-famous writers of the past. Most people know all about the greats such as Lord Byron and DH Lawrence, both of whom spent many years in Nottingham, something which comes across in much of their work. However, there are many other authors who have had their work influenced by our City, here is some of the work that is on offer:
The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner (1959) – Alan Sillitoe
Alan Sillitoe’s ‘Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner’ is a short story that focusses on a Nottingham teenager who takes up long-distance running as an escape mechanism from his life of petty crime. Through the story, Sillitoe explores themes such as criminal activity, class issues and the welfare state, with messages being delivered, both directly and metaphorically, about multiple social issues relevant at this time.
Penny Lace (1946) – Hilda Lewis
Hilda Lewis was a teacher who moved to Nottingham in 1920s. Her historical novel, ‘Penny Lace’ is set around the Lace IndustNottingham, in which we see the protagonist, Mr Penny, progress from working the factory floor to setting up his own successful business outside of Nottingham.
The Green Leaves of Nottingham (1973) – Pat McGrath
Exploring the criminal underworld of Nottingham at the time, ‘Green Leaves of Nottingham’ is an edgy, gritty novel, which includes many of the City’s landmarks as a backdrop for the plot to unfold in, a great read for anyone who knows and loves our Great City.
Stanley’s War and Stanley’s Peace
(2011) – Peter Shearstone
The final work to be mentioned is that of DG Cars very own General Manager, Peter Shearstone. His short novel based loosely on the life of his parents, particularly his father, tells the story of how two friends coped with going back to war and the impact this had on their lives. The story is full of Nottingham landmarks such as the City Ground and Raleigh, as well as a variety of different areas in Nottingham including Radford, Clifton and Canning Circus. The story pays homage to the unique Nottingham dialect and is guaranteed to put a smile on the face of any Nottingham citizen.
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