Not for a long time has a work of fiction clocking in at 400+ pages carried me along quite like Beneath the Trees of Eden by Tim Binding. It follows the story of Louis and Alice, an itinerant couple: Louis is a road builder (he worked on Britain's first motorway in 1958), and Alice, his moll - and so much more) from 1967-1984 as they crisscross the country in a succession of suboptimal British cars (Zephyrs; Rovers; Cortinas; Granadas) following the work, following the roads, following the drink. Louis is 25 years older than Alice at the start of the novel; though by the end that number has easily doubled. They live off the grid and are known by name only (no bank accounts, no National Insurance numbers, no nothing). But then they have a baby and everything changes. Or does it? Chester is more man cub than child and it isn't long before he's left to his own devices. As Louis ages (rapidly) he continually seeks redemption and Alice, now demoted from lover to carer, tries to make sense of the changing landscape (literally and figuratively). It's a love story on many levels - Louis & Alice, Louis & the A1 (''the backbone of England''), and Louis & the past). By the end you too will have fallen in love with the Baldock bypass, Scammonden, Scotch Corner and all the caffs and truck stops in between). An ode to the road. And brebis.
Ooh, I like the sound of this, thanks John. Will add to list. (Had to look up brebis, though!)
ReplyDeleteI think you'll find it rewarding. I didn't want to get to the end; it's that sort of read. The love Louis and Alice have for each other is neither Mills & Boon or indeed conventional. Or even straight forward. It's animalistic and, at times, downright crude. But always passionate. Like the writing.
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