The Restoration of Otto Laird, Nigel Packer
The Restoration of Otto Laird, Nigel Packer
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The Restoration of Otto Laird
A Novel

Author: Nigel Packer

Narrator: Sean Barrett

Unabridged: 9 hr 36 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 11/24/2015

Categories: Fiction, Family Life

Synopsis

Retired architect Otto Laird is living a peaceful, if slightly bemused, existence in Switzerland with his second wife, Anika. Once renowned for his radical designs, Otto now spends his days communing with nature and writing eccentric letters to old friends (which he doesn't mail). But Otto's comfortable life is rudely interrupted when he learns that his most significant and revolutionary building, Marlowe House, a 1960s tower block estate in South London is set to be demolished.

Otto is outraged. Determined to do everything in his power to save the building, he reluctantly agrees to take part in a television documentary, which will mean returning to London for the first time in twenty-five years to live for a week in Marlowe House. Once Otto becomes reacquainted with the city he called home for most of his life, his memories begin to come alive. And as he mines his past and considers life moving forward -- for himself and his building -- Otto embarks on a remarkable journey that will change everything he ever thought he knew.

About Nigel Packer

NIGEL PACKER is a former journalist, whose eclectic writing career spanned from music reviews for the BBC to a reporting officer at the International Committee for the Red Cross. He received his BA in Archaeology from the University of York and an MA from Leiden University. Nigel lives in London and The Restoration of Otto Laird is his first novel.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Jacqueline

This novel started out pretty well - an elderly architect has been informed that one of his prize buildings is to be demolished - but unfortunately devolved into a set of not very interesting flashbacks and reminiscences about the architect's wives and travels. Like the mental meanderings of an old......more

Goodreads review by Stephen

interesting easy going read about a man looking back at his past and future when he tries to save a block of flats he designed in the 1960's and how he re valuates his condition. felt though author got a bit bogged down in the middle of the book though.......more

Goodreads review by Laura

3.5/5 Originally posted on:> [URL not allowed] Initially I found The Restoration of Otto Laird hard to get into. I would be reading the words on the page and my mind would wonder off onto other things. I must admit, I very nearly gave up, but I persevered and I'm glad I did. Ott......more

Goodreads review by Samantha

Otto Laird, an architect is upset to discover a building he designed - Marlowe House, a concrete tower block built south of the river Thames in South London in the early 1960s is slated for demolition. Upset on a purely personal level and conscious of the passage of time and fighting the signs of ag......more

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