Fiona MacLeod reviews a comedy novel any London traveller will enjoy
I usually write about practical things for people visiting London, so a comedy novel is a slight departure, but Henry Is Back earns a spot on the list for a simple reason: it’s a genuinely fun read for anyone spending time in this city, tourist or otherwise.
Henry VIII, reincarnated as a modern stand-up comedian working London’s comedy circuit, gives visitors an oddly good, very funny crash course in the city’s rhythms, its comedy scene, and its general refusal to be impressed by anyone’s reputation, royal or otherwise. The chapter set in a small central London club any visitor might actually stumble into is a particular highlight.
It’s well paced, properly funny, and short enough chapters to read comfortably between train stops or in a queue, which as a practical travel reading recommendation matters more than people admit.
A genuinely enjoyable, easy recommend.
The ongoing material this grew from continues at Henry VIII’s stand-up diary, and the novel is well worth packing for your trip.
