Sometimes In Bath – A Review

May is looking to be quite well filled with book reviews. Useful timing, perhaps, for those seeking new reads to keep occupied during the current period. For today, welcome to the blog tour for Sometimes In Bath, by Charles Nevin. Living in the same general region as Bath, this book appealed both for content and location. I was also attracted by the promise of historical background to each story.

Introduction

Sometimes In Bath by Charles Nevin is a captivating story-tour through the city’s history.

Beau Nash, Old King Bladud, young Horatio Nelson, Jane Austen’s Mr Bennet, the Emperor Haile Selassie and many more spring to life through the pages. The book shimmers with the curious magic of this most enchanting and enchanted city.

Each chapter has a dash of fascinating fact and anecdote. Readers will learn of the theories of Bath’s great architect, John Wood, on magic and druids. They will discover the origin of the Bath Bun. They will read of John Betjeman and his fight to save fine Bath buildings, and the truth behind his famous poem, “In A Bath Teashop”. And many more.

Each story has an afterword distinguishing the fiction from fact. This adds enthralling historical detail – and offers visitors useful links to Bath’s many sights and fascinations. Sometimes in Bath is warm, witty, and wistful.

Review

Sometimes In Bath collects a range of characters, linked in some way with the city, and distributes them among a series of short stories. I particularly liked the rhythm of the book. Charles builds descriptions fitting of each era portrayed, using language appropriate to the time. In this manner, the pace slows, and it becomes an immersive read as you get to know the people and the place.

Having a long time interest in Elizabethan England, I was particularly taken with the chapter set in this period. But every story held some fascination. Charles uses his words to bring depth to each scene and every character. Some people and places were familiar to me, from visiting Bath in the past. Other details were new, and are things I will explore in future.

The afterword to each story sets out the history of its era, with detailed suggestions for further reading and where to go in Bath to see where the action takes place. This has the useful added function of building up a history and guide to the city.

If you enjoy short stories interwoven with historical facts alongside the fiction and doses of wry humour, I recommend this book to you. Bath is a particularly fascinating and beautiful setting, and Sometimes In Bath holds wide appeal, even for those who do not know the city.

About the Author

Charles Nevin has written for, among others, the Guardian, the Independent on Sunday, the Daily Telegraph, The Times and Sunday Times, and the New York Times. Sometimes in Bath is his second book of fiction following Lost in the Wash with Other Things, a collection of short stories. He has also published three books of non-fiction. Lancashire, Where Women Die of Love, is a paean to the neglected romance of his native county. The Book of Jacks, is a history and lexicon of the name. Finally, So Long Our Home, a history of Knowsley Road, the famous old ground of St Helens Rugby Football Club. Charles lives in an old watermill near Bath, which is ideally placed for his forays into the enchanting city.

Find out more about Charles on his website, and follow him on Twitter for latest news. As part of The Bath Festival, an event is scheduled for November 2020, at which Charles will discuss the book with Fran Beauman.

Many thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for hosting this blog tour, and offering me the chance to review Sometimes In Bath. I received a copy of the book, in return for an honest review. All views expressed are my own.

4 May 2020