Curiocity: An Alternative A-Z of London

Description

'The greatest book about London published in modern times ... an illuminated manuscript for the 21st century city' - Londonist Curiocity is a new A to Z exploring every aspect of life in London. Its 26 chapters weave together the city's stories with striking reflections, practical ideas and itineraries, and contributions from London voices such as Monica Ali and Iain Sinclair. The book is illustrated by artists including Chris Riddell, Isabel Greenberg and Steven Appleby, and at the heart of each chapter is an original hand-drawn map, charting everything from the city's international communities, underground spaces and children's dreams, to its unrealised plans, erogenous zones and dystopian futures. Curiocity is a unique guide that will transform the way you see and experience London.

Henry Eliot and Matt Lloyd-Rose are old friends and Curiocity is their first book. Henry has led cheese walks in London, written a book about mazes called Follow This Thread, and he is the creative editor of Penguin Classics. Matt Lloyd-Rose has been a primary teacher, police officer and social researcher in London. He wrote this book while living in Buenos Aires.

The most ingenious, insightful, inspiring, intoxicating, and simply interesting guide to the great city that I have ever seen -- Philip Pullman Remarkable ... a nerdy Londoner's paradise ... an exquisite 450-page cross between an encyclopaedia and an artwork * Evening Standard * The greatest book about London published in modern times ... an illuminated manuscript for the 21st century city * Londonist * London's bookshops and libraries are filled with printed guides to the city but few (if any) are as comprehensive as Curiocity * Creative Review * An endlessly fascinating guide to London ... an eccentric lexical juggernaut ... I doubt that anything of such crazy magnitude will be attempted again in a hurry * Evening Standard * A glorious and delightful compendium and guide to London from Above, Below and all the in-betweens -- Neil Gaiman Here is something different [...] composed of fresh flashes of insight [...] constructed as a cabinet of curiosities, the literary equivalent of Sir John Soane's Museum in Lincoln's Inn Fields. The work [the authors] have put into it is formidable, the collaboration they have won from contributors, illustrators and publishers quite breathtaking. * Times Literary Supplement * The authors' delight in London trivia is infectious * Guardian * A great walk for the senses -- Iain Sinclair Utterly extraordinary -- Tom Holland A glorious treasure trove * Esquire * A beautifully produced miscellany of fascinating facts about London. Wonderful illustrations are added to intriguing nuggets of information on a huge range of subjects from street cries to earthstars. An object of beauty in itself * The Oldie * Reimagines the 'guidebook' in the same way that Peter Ackroyd's London: the Biography reinvented historical writing about the capital. And just as Ackroyd set a benchmark, every new guide to London will now be viewed with reference to Curiocity. [...] However well you think you know London, you will discover something new on virtually every page, and the things you know well will be seen completely differently. Highly recommended * The London Society * Beautifully illustrated, quirky and irreverent -- Danny Dorling Incredibly clever and gorgeous. It's like a London treasure hunt - an unexpected explorers' map of a city I've lived in all my life and thought I knew -- Bidisha