The essence of this little work of art is probably best summed up by one Mark Lewis-Jenkins in his 'Foreword' notes: "...if you can dwell less on an undeniable undercurrent of melancholia, resist the temptation to be judgemental and just let the narrative flow, there are some engaging moments of amusement to enjoy in what is essentially a potted autobiography told through a fascinating anthology of short stories highlighting the absurdities observed in everyday situations - notably the workplace - during one man's search for his own identity whilst trying to come to terms with the recurring manifestation of a spectre from the past." Certainly, an unhappy school life, punctuated by some quite pernicious acts by members of the teaching profession, was not the soundest starting out point for a young man about to embark on a potentially perilous journey of self-discovery in the weird and wonderful world of grown-ups. Again, Mark Lewis-Jenkins hits the spot with his diagnosis of the boy's root problem: the fear of teachers, a phobia that never left him and which returned with a vengeance in later years when he entered the field of education. "Unlike most other phobias which seem to be largely inherent, I believe this one to be an acquired dislike, and as such, more credible in its rationale. Arguably, the condition is something which can affect most children at some stage during their early schooling but where it is allowed to become entrenched deep in the psyche, this fear factor can be the catalyst for rather more complex psychological developments." Therein, it seems, may lay the rub, for whilst the author's subsequent, minor skirmishes with the law and figures of authority in general, are in the main, merely mischievous, others wouldn't sit too uncomfortably in a category marked 'anti-social.' Profound regret by the protagonist on a decision that was literally life-changing, is the lynch-pin around which most of the narrative is built, exploring in depth the ramifications of a termination and its enduring legacy of guilt. Gladly, though, the book never allows itself to stew too long in negativity, being intermittently buoyed by the author's own hilarious tales from his newspaper days as well some remarkable fly-on-the-wall stories involving Royalty and icons of stage and film. In a nutshell, Laying to Rest the Ghost of Harley Street, is a good read, a little page-turner. Best consumed as it was intended....in one go.
About the Author: Born in the UK in the northern holiday town of Blackpool, the author studied Newspaper Journalism at Harris College, Preston, now the University of Central Lancashire. A keen, all-round sportsman, Ron gained representative honours with Blackpool Schoolboys X1 before going on to play Northern League cricket with Fleetwood. Ron's first job was working as a junior reporter with the old Fleetwood Chronicle, in what was then (the sixties), a busy port town flourishing with news during the heydays of the Icelandic fishing fleets, a healthy cargo trade, passenger terminal for the Isle of Man steamer service and seaside holiday industry. The author later worked for the West Lancashire Evening Gazette, writing a weekly column on rural affairs before relocating to London where study of residential social work stood him in good stead for a 15-year stint in fostering. For the London Borough of Haringey, Ron helped to inaugurate the local authority's first support group for newly-appointed and prospective foster parents and, together with his partner Colette, helped spearhead the innovative Teenage Placement Scheme in the borough as well as promote the project around other authorities in the Capital. Maintaining his connection within the sporting community, Ron was Press Secretary of Haringey Borough Football Club for many years, covering their games for the local newspapers. He also wrote a sports column in the Haringey Advertiser and played cricket for North London CC. Since 2010 the author has been a staunch critic of the oil and gas industry's controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing ('fracking') writing numerous articles condemning the impact of the process on precious water resources and the environment in general. Indeed, he dedicates this book to all indigenous peoples in the US, struggling to protect their water from the threats posed by the construction of oil and gas pipelines, and their counterparts across the UK and especially in his home county of Lancashire where Fylde water protectors have conducted the frontline campaign against the fracking industry.