4.0 (1 rating)
The Restoration of Otto Laird
Elderly retired architect Otto Laird lives a peaceful, if slightly bemused, existence in Switzerland with his second wife, Anika. Once renowned for his radical and controversial designs, he now spends his days communing with nature and writing eccentric (and un-posted) letters to old friends. But Otto's comfortable life is rudely interrupted when he learns that his most significant and revolutionary building, Marlowe House, a 1960s local authority tower block in south London is 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 25 years to live for a week in Marlowe House.
Published: April 24, 2014
Pages: 338
ISBN: 9780751553055
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See all editions (6)Reader Reviews
4.0
1 rating
Rachel S.
Apr 6, 2026
Now I must admit when I first started this book I didn't think I would manage to finish it, in fact I almost gave up until I read a few reviews saying that it does get better as the story goes on, and I am so glad that I continued with it.
In the book description it does state that this is funny, I did not particularly find anything funny about it really. Otto had just had another bout of surgery and needed to go back to London to save Marlowe House, and a documentary may do the trick, therefore he is interviewed for this documentary and meets residents of Marlowe House and ask their thoughts too. Now Otto left London and hadn't been back for twenty-five years so that in itself must have been quite daunting for him. When he lays eyes on Marlowe House and how different it was now from when it was first built his heart sank. It was ruined, almost beyond repair, it didn't look the same.
While filming the documentary and spending time in London he has a lot of reveries about time gone by, his childhood, how he met his first wife, where they lives, his son, things that went wrong and how he sadly lost his wife. But does he manage to save Marlowe House? You will have to read to find out.
I actually liked Otto, his flash backs to the past were quite emotional in places.
I would recommend this book and don't be put off like I almost was, it is a remarkable novel.
In the book description it does state that this is funny, I did not particularly find anything funny about it really. Otto had just had another bout of surgery and needed to go back to London to save Marlowe House, and a documentary may do the trick, therefore he is interviewed for this documentary and meets residents of Marlowe House and ask their thoughts too. Now Otto left London and hadn't been back for twenty-five years so that in itself must have been quite daunting for him. When he lays eyes on Marlowe House and how different it was now from when it was first built his heart sank. It was ruined, almost beyond repair, it didn't look the same.
While filming the documentary and spending time in London he has a lot of reveries about time gone by, his childhood, how he met his first wife, where they lives, his son, things that went wrong and how he sadly lost his wife. But does he manage to save Marlowe House? You will have to read to find out.
I actually liked Otto, his flash backs to the past were quite emotional in places.
I would recommend this book and don't be put off like I almost was, it is a remarkable novel.