22nd Jun 2003
Portobello Road via Gibson
I have started reading William Gibson’s “Pattern Recognition”, and have been transported back to London, to Portobello Road. It is a twin joy to be given a
new Gibson (I’ve read all of them), and to be reminded of some favorite parts of London, the focus of the first chapter. I found myself wondering if Cayce was going to breeze through Harrods, which is
a sure-fire way to achieve brand-name sensory overload.
We have some silverware and Irish linens from PR. Great deal. High Thread Count.
If you go to London, get your derriere out of bed very early Saturday morning, get to the Tube, and emerge at Knotting Hill Gate. Find some decent coffee,
and start your stroll. Hint: always leave space in your suitcase at the beginning of your trip!
Like his other books, this one is dense with references, which for me is
part of the fun. Consistent Gibsonian fetishes from one book to the
next: clothes and watches. Oh, and we mustn’t forget coffee! A reference to
Victorian medical instruments on Portobello Road brought back the
whole feel of that place (antiques, surprises, commerce)
Choppy, this. Time for my brewed elixer.
