KING STREET RUN by V. R. Ling (BOOK REVIEW)
To Thomas, archaeology was time travel…
Little did he know how literal that would turn out to be. Thomas Wharton, an archaeology graduate, becomes drawn into the problems of a series of anachronistic characters who exist in the fractions of a second behind our own time. These characters turn out to be personifications of the Cambridge Colleges; they have the amalgamated foibles, history, and temperament of their Fellows and students and, together with Thomas, must enter into a race against time to prevent their world being destroyed by an unknown assailant.
Have you heard of the genius loci – the Spirit of a Place? An ancient idea that archaeology graduate Thomas discovers is very real when he encounters the human personifications of the Cambridge University Colleges. An adventure begins as Thomas and the Colleges race to discover who is trying to displace them in time, as their innovation, wit and sense of discovery is overcome by contemporary problems like administrative red tape.I went in to King Street Run knowing virtually nothing about it beyond the blurb, but intrigued to see how the story unfolded. Right away, we get to know our protagonist as a working-class lad following his passion with a scholarship to Cambridge; far out of his depth, but an outsider in a different sense to being a smart kid in a blue-collar household. Thomas is a delightful mix of clever and caring, with his feet firmly on the ground while his heart is open to the idea of time-travel, magic and making a difference to what matters… and like that, I was his eager companion on this journey!
The author’s voice is warm and inviting, with a wonderful streak of humour that regularly had me laughing aloud. The atmosphere of afternoon tea and autumn days reminds me of the best classic Dr Who episodes or the original 1960s ‘Avengers’ (I’d say also CS Lewis, but he went to The Other Place – Oxford!). Cambridge is beautifully drawn, with a clear love for its leafy streets and historic architecture, and it was a delight to pick up this simple paperback every time in the knowledge that I’d be transported to a real place full of imagination and lore.
Anyone who’s been to University will be wondering what their own alma mater would be like if they appeared as people – and indeed, how any old building might manifest. London was explored in such a way in Neverwhere, but it’s a pleasure to see another English city step up and show its voice.
I’m so grateful to both VR Ling and Elsewhen Press for inviting me on this adventure, and I’ll be eagerly watching for their upcoming titles!
King Street Run is available now from Elsewhen Press – you can order your copy HERE
[…] that smells as good as it looks. A little while ago, I reviewed the wonderful King Street Runhere – and author V.R. Ling has kindly allowed me to investigate a little into the ideas behind […]