Of Street Piemen (Penguin Little Black Classics)

by Henry Mayhew

Paperback, 2015

Status

Available

Genres

Publication

Penguin Classics (2015), Edition: 01, 64 pages

Description

'...a good bit of spice to give the critlings a flavour, and plenty of treacle to make the mince-meat look rich'Radical Victorian reformer Henry Mayhew walked the streets of London interviewing ordinary flower girls, market traders, piemen and costermongers to create the first ever work of mass social observation, and the ultimate account of urban life - including an extraordinary description of the city from a hot air balloon.Introducing Little Black Classics- 80 books for Penguin's 80th birthday. Little Black Classics celebrate the huge range and diversity of Penguin Classics, with books from around the world and across many centuries. They take us from a balloon ride over Victorian London to a garden of blossom in Japan, from Tierra del Fuego to 16th century California and the Russian steppe. Here are stories lyrical and savage; poems epic and intimate; essays satirical and inspirational; and ideas that have shaped the lives of millions.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member jon1lambert

Now I know what tossing a pie means. What a great idea - these 80th anniversary booklets published by Penguin, this one read in London, mainly at the Eurostar terminal.

3 more

LibraryThing member abbottthomas

One of the short books published by Penguin to mark 80 years in business, this is a few extracts from London Labour and the London Poor and other Mayhew works. Fascinating social history despite the flowery style. I particularly liked the description of a train journey from Waterloo to Clapham, a

ride I know well, now passing between tall blocks of new apartments mostly bought by foreign investors.

Show Less

LibraryThing member SashaM

A very different look at 19th century London and it's poorest people. Very different to what you read in most fiction. Highly recommend to anyone who want to look at that period in history.

LibraryThing member TheCrow2

Short essays about the life some of the working class in the Victorian London. Interesting read although sometimes full with dry details.

Fewer