The Restoration of Otto Laird

Name: The Restoration of Otto Laird
Brand: Hachette UK
Availability: InStock
Author: Nigel Packer
ISBN: 9781405533317

Author: Nigel Packer

Narrator: Sean Barrett

Unabridged: 9 hr 36 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Published: 01/06/2015

Categories: Fiction, Family Life, Cultural Fiction

Synopsis

Otto Laird is outraged . . .

The peaceful, if slightly bemused, existence of this elderly, retired architect is rudely interrupted when he learns that his most significant and revolutionary building, Marlowe House, a 1960s tower block council estate in south London is to be demolished. Determined to do everything in his power to save the building, Otto returns to London for the first time in twenty-five years.

As he explores his past, ponders his present and considers the future -- for himself and his building -- Otto embarks on a most remarkable journey, one that will change everything he ever thought he knew about himself and those closest to him.

Funny, moving and heart-warming, this is a novel featuring one of the most endearing protagonists you will ever meet, whose story will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

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 on April 04, 2017

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 on December 02, 2014

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 on January 29, 2015

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 on May 20, 2015

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

Goodreads review by Alison on July 30, 2017

A quiet thoughtful retrospective on ageing and his life review by the famous British architect, Otto Laird. He's turned 80, in poor health, lives in Switzerland with his second wife. He reluctantly agrees to take part in a TV doccie about his famous high rise housing estate building, which is due to......more

Awards

Authors' Club Best First Novel Award