"He was called Smith and he was twelve years old, so far Smallpox, gaol fever and the hangman's rope had'nt been quick enough to get him, but they might anyday" so began this Leon Garfield book and I thought "Blimey, they certainly credited kids with more intelligence back in the day", at least they did so when it came to historical novels and adventure tales. "But Mal," I hear you say "They also make them go up chimneys to clean them" affecting Sharon eyes rolling heaven ward at my credulity. Hmmm, I think,"good point." perhaps I am a Victorian Waifaphobe. Damn, you think you get to my age and you know yourself.
This was a beautifully wrapped little Puffin paper back from the 1970s. The cover artist was Anthony Maitland. Take away the book title and the author's name and you would assume you had lifted a book of tales by Sheridan Lefanu.And this would not be too far away from an appropriate description of what the tone of the book felt like. Although I dont think Lefanu wrote anything which crackled along at the pace this book did. With breatless twists and anxiety inducing turns, poor Smith was driven along at a scary pace, first finding safety from his would be killers, then losing it and finding himself friendless, only one step ahead of murder,betrayal and the wicked ambitions of others. And all written in an entirely plausable fashion, there is nothing in the text which could not have taken place in the real world. From the filthy labyrinth of the warren like streets of Olde Londone Town to the even filthier environs of Newgate. Brutality and cruelty are commonplace in this location, in this era. The poor are crushed by the indifferent forces of societal oppression by virtue of their poverty. Leon Garfield creates a gallimorphery of finely observed Dickensian characters. Newgate prison and those who occupy its walls are rendered so realistically I itched with sympathy. With the spectre of Tyburn looming large over the lives of Smith and his murdered-for "dockiment". It is this story maguffin Smith pickpocketed moments before its owner waws stabbed to death, resulting in Smith now becoming the object of the killers base intentions.
I have to stress the quality and artistry of Anthony Maitlands line drawings which come married to the text. The artist and writers collab makes for an impressive team producing a small but perfectly formed body of Victorrianna.
And to think this book was aimed at younger readers.
Adults rarely had it so good.
