London Urban Legends

There is something deeply mysterious in the air of London.Am I biased? Quite possibly yes, but I've had the blessing to find myself walking in its streets many times and what I felt there I haven't felt in any other city.The shadows that are cast over its buildings during the Blue Hour,the mist that arises from the water of Father Thames.When darkness falls,the visitor expects to hear the sound of carriages upon cobblestoned streets,mysterious passengers heading on shady endeavors, men in top hats and the butterflies of the night standing under the flickering light of the lamp posts. Yes,too much Dickens and Tom Hardy's Taboo can have that effect,but anyway...

What is really special and interesting with this book is that there aren't only urban legends of our recent times but also tales that would have been considered urban legends in the 16th century and onwards,most of them based on actual events that had a significant impact on the London society.Sculptures that are considered cursed and buildings of misfortune whose creators ended their lives with their own hand,inns and public houses with mysterious passages,hidden alleys that lead nowhere,water that runs through the walls of the city.Urban tales about Alexander McQueen,about the Beatles,the Who, about bars of ill repute and the songs that were inspired by them.

What frightened me most were the stories about incidents and weird phenomena connected to the Underground.Since the Tube is my way of commuting to work daily,I admit,I had an odd feeling standing on the platform of the Underground in Athens.I've always had the notion that many strange things may be taking place once the lights of the Tube go out and its gates are locked.I am weird anyway,so don't mind me...

A lovely book for all of us who love London and urban legends.And one more great addition to all those recent books about this magnificent,hauntingly beautiful capital.