So after all the anticipation the book has finally arrived and, if the rumours are true, also a film at some point. But was it worth the wait?
It was with these feelings of trepidation that I turned to the first page of The Lido by Libby Page; her debut novel based on her time living in Brixton and swimming at Brockwell Lido. Well, I was hooked from the first sentence. Libby’s passion for this part of South London and our wonderful pool oozes out of every syllable and is almost impossible to put down. I finished it in two days which, for my slow reading skills, is fast.
Author Libby Page
We are introduced to our two main characters in the first chapter. Kate has moved to London and feels alone and isolated in the big city. She works at the Brixton Chronicle but has yet to find her ‘big story’. On the High Street she passes Rosemary. Rosemary has swum at Brockwell Lido all her life. She misses her husband George who died two years earlier, she remembers her job at the library and is worried that the neighbourhood she loves is fast disappearing.
As the story unfolds we are introduced to more characters: Hope who used to work with Rosemary at the library (now closed), Jay the Chronicles’ photographer, Frank and Jermaine struggling to keep their book shop open, the Chronicle’s editor Phil caught between ethics and paying the bills, Geoff the Lido Manager just trying to do his job, and as I was reading I kept on thinking “yes, I’ve met that person” although they are all fictional, and I never have.
Rosemary then discovers that the Lido is soon to be closed, bought from Lambeth Council by Paradise Living property developers, and turned into a gym and tennis court. The pool to be cemented over. Yet another local public facility sold off to the highest bidder. She starts a campaign to save the Lido which Kate is asked to report on and she realises this might be her ‘big story’. She meets Rosemary by the pool and, despite the age gap, they find they have a mutual bond; Rosemary is trying to save her home and Kate is trying to find one… the Lido.
The outcome of the story is predictable but Libby cleverly manages to keep us guessing and I was carried along the emotional roller coaster the characters go through not knowing if their pool would or would not be saved? Also the additional details: the fox walking through the streets of Brixton; the boy loving the isolation of sitting at the bottom of the deep end; the pregnant woman floating away the weight of her body; memories of how the market used to be… these all make this a very special book for anyone living in the area. OK, some users are going to quibble about the details: the pool does not have a cover; there are no lockers in the changing room; people tend to use the steps, rather than the ladder. But this would be missing the point of Libby’s novel.
The real story is not just the salvation of a public swimming pool, but the saving of a community who use it. By reading her book we are shown that the people who swim in a pool are as important, if not more important, than the water they swim in. It also shows us how easy it would be lose it again if swimmers stopped caring and stopped being involved. It will be interesting to see what effect the inevitable publicity will have on Brockwell Lido? Let’s hope it brings more regular users, especially in the colder months. It might also bring in some new faces, like Kate, who want to get involved in ensuring it’s long term future.
This is a wonderful book and ‘must read’ for anyone who swims at Brockwell.
ISBN: 9781409175209. Publication date: 19th April 2018. Page count: 384. Imprint: Orion.
COMPETITION
Libby will be launching her book at the Lido Cafe on Thursday 19th April, 7pm to 11pm, and has kindly sent Brockwell Swimmers three invites, plus three signed copies to give away. All you have to do is tell us why you love Brockwell Lido? The best three answers will have their names added to the guest list. You’ll be able to pick up your signed copy at the launch. Drinks and canapés are promised, and a chance to meet the author as well. Sounds wonderful.
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