Bookspot

A friend of mine noticed Norwich got mentioned in the New York Times this week, which made me feel a little bit special and proud of where I get to spend my time. Isn't it funny how a little bit of international recognition makes you look at where you are in a slightly different way? The article is all about how wonderfully literary Norwich is; this suits my view of the city nicely, as I came to UEA to study literature. I remember my excitement when I realised that my A-Level text, Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day, had been written shortly after Ishiguro had left the building I found myself studying in. So I knew Norwich had many literary leanings, but I am definitely now going to have to look at visiting The Book Hive and see what readings they have in the pipeline. I am also going to have to look into seeing plays at the Cathedral, in my efforts to ensure that I am only culturally entertained within a 1 mile radius of my house and that I fully appreciate all the benefits of city centre living while Gav and I remain here.

What I found perhaps most exciting about the NY Times article was the fact that it finally answered a question I've had for a while - what is that building with all the writing all over it?


I found it one sunny Sunday afternoon while walking along the River Walk and have been trying to find out what the story is behind it. Apparently it's the entire text of Sir Thomas Moore's Utopia on this building - no, I've not heard of it either. But definitely something I'll look out for now, maybe on my trip to the Book Hive!

I guess what this all culminates to - we all know Norwich is indeed a wonderful place and it's nice to look just a little bit beneath the banality of your every day to find these hidden gems. I mean, New Yorkers are being told to come to this Fine City! Which is just great. If I happen to bump into any of the traveling Americans (Carrie picking her way down Elm Hill in her Manolo's??!!!)then I shall be sure to point them towards Tombland with its rickety old buildings and stories of the plague, recommend just popping into the Puppet Theater to see those puppets hanging from the roof tops and demand they take a trip out to UEA on the number 25 to see those strange old Ziggurats. before catching up with you all at the Playhouse while we ponder why exactly we would ever want to venture further afield.