Metroland (novel)
 First edition | |
| Author | Julian Barnes |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Bildungsroman |
| Publisher | Jonathan Cape |
Publication date | 1980 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 176 pp |
| ISBN | 0-224-01762-4 |
| OCLC | 27013621 |
| 823/.914 20 | |
| LC Class | PR6052.A6657 M47 1980 |
Metroland is an English novel written by Julian Barnes and published in 1980. Philip Larkin wrote a letter to Barnes saying "that he had much enjoyed it, despite his prejudice against novels with people under the age of 21 in them. He added, gloomily, something like, 'but is that what life's like nowadays?'" Barnes described "this unexpected praise" as "the most gratifying moment of the strange passage of first publication."[1]
Overview
Metroland is a first person account of Christopher Lloyd and his experiences growing up in the suburbs of London (so-called Metroland), his brief life in Paris as a graduate student and the early years of his subsequent marriage. As adolescents Christopher and his childhood friend Toni had shown contempt for the bourgeois establishment but this lifestyle is one that Christopher ultimately chooses, much to Toni's disappointment, obtaining a secure job in publishing, marrying, buying a house and having a child. Christopher realises that his normal life and somewhat mundane marriage are not perfect, nor are they necessarily more exciting than his time in Paris with his bold French girlfriend Annick, but he does love his wife and is content.
Film adaptation
In 1997 Metroland was made into a film starring Christian Bale and Emily Watson. The executive producer was Andrew Bandall and the director was Philip Saville.
References
- ↑ Flood, Alison (17 May 2013). "Book auction to shine light on the secrets of quidditch: Charity auction of annotated first edition novels gives unprecedented insight into the genesis of classic titles". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 May 2013.