My Friend Smith
A Story of School and City Life
By Talbot Baines Reed
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This is a curious book by the author. It does not surprise us, because
it has a long school-life section, but then it goes on to describe in
rather frightening detail the life of a young clerk in London, trying to
survive on a miserable pittance, living in a cheap lodging-house, and
trying to keep up socially with his contemporaries. He is loyal to his
friends, and in particular to his friend Smith, whom he had met at
school, which had been a school for troublesome and backward boys.
I think it rings very true. There is a foreword which is as
enthusiastic as I am about the book. It still gives you a lot to think
about. It was quite a true image even when I was young myself and
trying to make my way in London, and from what I hear of the
tribulations of the young, it is probably not far from the truth today.
Read the book yourself and see what you think. NH.
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MY FRIEND SMITH
A STORY OF SCHOOL AND CITY LIFE