The Pigeon Tunnel: Stories from My Life

A fantastic memoir spread over some 30 different stories from David Cornwell's life. If you ever doubted the quality of Cornwell's prose, his ability to turn a phrase or illustrate a scene so well you imagine yourself there, this collection of stories will leave you with no disbelief in the fact that he was one of Britain's best 20c/21c writers.

I have just finished reading/listening to The Pigeon Tunnel. There are other, better and longer reviews of the book itself, so I'll mention a few of the things that struck me after or during the read. Listening to his mesmerizing voice makes for such a personal, intimate experience—I highly recommend springing for the audiobook as well. I listened to some of it while reading the book, and other times just listened, as if I were sitting at a table sharing a drink, or more likely, at a nearby table in a pub, overhearing his conversation. His talent for story telling comes through just as much here as it does in his novels. One thing I wasn't prepared for is his talent for mimicking various accents (American, French, Russian and others). That shouldn't surprise us, given his talent for rendering dialog.

He is self-deprecating, sincere and funny, about himself and others in his long life. However, again not surprisingly, it's clear he has a drawn a curtain, a line beyond which we are not allowed into his life, whether to protect the innocent, the guilty, the unsuspecting, or most likely all of the above. He openly mentions difficulties in his first marriage but does not go into any details, and really why should he? But, perhaps in self defense or as an inherited trait, you the reader get the feeling that you will never truly penetrate below the top layer. It's such a rich layer, it's enough, and will have to be. Perhaps at some point we'll learn more from his sons in the future. Until then, I'm happy to read the origin stories behind some of the characters and stories that I love so very much.

I'll go back to reread this memoir—more slowly, savoring the language and art as much as the stories themselves—but it also very much makes me want to read Sisman's biography of him. Perhaps, despite the subject, Sisman may have managed to illuminate some of the corners a little more.

Short Review: Occasionally fascinating. Sometimes boring. I think for most people, I would recommend reading more of his novels. But if you have read a number of his novels then you may enjoy reading this. There are a number of stories about where a character or scene or book was inspired by. And the end about his father was really good. But some of the rest was just okay.

Most of the time I was actively engaged as I was reading. But I would put it down and then not be super interested in picking it back up again.



My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/the-pigeon-tunnel/

Mostly short anecdotes. Entertaining, but inessential.