I know this is not technically your fault but

[several_bees]

Why did nobody tell me about Black Hearts in BatterseaSo okay, it's a children's book set in alternate-history London - written 1965, set around 1825. There is Battersea Castle, built for ludicrous fake-historical reasons. There's a Battersea crest ("two squirrels respecting each other, vert., and az., eating mince pies"). There is a tunnel. There

Comments

Didn't realise you'd missed out

[a_llusive]

Presumably you have read 'The Wolves of Willoughby Chase' and the Dido and Pa books?

Re: Didn't realise you'd missed out

[several_bees]

Nope! I was vaguely aware of The Wolves of Willoughby Chase existing, but never read it. I will read those too, now, though I am sure they won't have the same absurd concentration of exactly the stuff I'm obsessed with or most like in fiction (Battersea, bridges, hot air balloons, explosions, games, squirrels, etc etc etc).

Re: Didn't realise you'd missed out

[a_llusive]

Suspect Dido and Pa series may ring your bells more than the Wolves but wouldn't dream of spoilering.

[ouchfest]

I think my pa made me read all those in elementary school, which was too bad because I bet I would have enjoyed them much more when I was older. I group them all together in my memory as "those Dido books". The only parts I remember are bread from acorn flour and something about the crushed bones of virgins. If they're worth revisiting, maybe I should trek to the library.

[jiggery_pokery]

You probably know about it already, but I saw this headline and thought of you.