The Water Gipsies

A. P. Herbert

Gill was very pleased to find this book for in a second hand shop in Wendover. It's about a family living on a canal boat in the 1920s. The Author was an independent MP with a special interest in water transport. The book is set in Hammersmith and the main character (Jane) is a working class girl whose worldview is very influenced by the movies, her Dad working in a cinema. The plot concerns a journey taken on a barge up the Grand Union canal by Jane & Dad plus friend Fred. The big drama in the book revolves around a game of skittles in a local pub. A good portrait of life & class in the London of the time.
Gill 20/04/00

The frames have gone all funny - click to make it good.