Lights Out for the Territory: 9 Excursions in the Secret History of London

by Iain Sinclair

Release Date: October, 1998

Edition: Paperback

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Hits and misses

Melissa Rossi's review is exceptionally clear and focused, and defines LIGHTS OUT FOR THE TERRITORIES well.
In those qualities, her review is everything that LIGHTS OUT is not. What is so maddening about this book of Sinclair's is that it tantalizes with its brilliant language while darting off in all directions at once and confusing the reader. Sinclair is a fine, poetic writer with a remarkable grasp of the language and an incandescent fire in the way he pours on the imagery, but the principal difficulty is that there is no center. The book wanders about, much as the author did with his research, and alternates its focus from closeups of obscure trivia and minutiae to grand and glorious vistas. And the editor (we are assured that one was at work, though that editor's hand remains well hidden) permitted Sinclair to act out his every last professional, social and experiential tic, pleasure and annoyance to the last bleeding degree. He rants spectacularly.
The truly saddening part about such negative comments, reflected in the other Amazon reviews as with Rossi's, is that Sinclair is one of the most interesting voices around these days. Of course he has the right to express himself on his own terms, and Granta permits him, but readers have the equal right to say 'Enough.'
For a better and more disciplined read that nevertheless shows Sinclair's skills, LONDON ORBITAL is a far superior effort, a book that Sinclair admits was rehearsed in part through earlier works like LIGHTS OUT. Read my LONDON ORBITAL review and you will see why.

The Londoner's Londoner

If you enjoyed Peter Ackroyd's 'biography' of London, then you will want to read this account of modern London. Sinclair is a great walker and he describes a series of journeys across the contemporary city which few others have ever taken. This gives him the chance to comment on the way. This book is essentially a modern meditation and it's wonderful. Extended poetry. This is the best of modern English literature. Don't miss it!