‘This handy guide takes you to a London you’ve never seen…’ so reads the blurb on the back of this pocket-sized gem. The inviting description continues, ‘…a London of challenging Etruscan restaurants, edgy branding parlours, emoji hotels and hidden Icelandic communities; a London where 8-ply toilet paper is a thing.’ But sadly, these venues are all figments of mischievous author Jeremy Liebster’s imagination. The Bespokist Society Guide to… London is a spoof guidebook featuring weird and wonderful (and all completely imaginary) restaurants, shops and creative people. The 120-page book (by ‘fictional’ authors Jez Tepano and Nastya Petrov) gently pokes fun at urban trends and elements of modern living, from fitness fads and wellness to coffee culture and hipsters.
What we thought of the book
I was mildly disappointed to discover that the places and people that feature in this travel guide don’t actually exist in real life. After all, how fabulous would it be to meet ‘Darby’, a ‘remarkably engaging cat that is said to have persuaded numerous other London felines to follow a vegan lifestyle’?
And I loved the sound of The Yeast Extractors, a pair of roving sandwich gurus who ‘make the best Marmite sarnies in London’. The sharp observational humour is spot on. The entries may be fictional, nonsensical and often quite ridiculous, but the truth is they’re not a million miles away from 21st-century life – especially in our capital city. I would imagine this book would be most appealing to Londoners themselves or those who are familiar with the city. But, as only an occasional visitor to the capital, I still found plenty to make me giggle. However, I’d advise against reading it over a meal, especially the entry about Fecal Matters, a chain of ‘fancy bottom parlours’. And, who knows, maybe in a few years’ time we’ll see emoticon-themed hotels and hipster versions of working men’s clubs springing up across the city?
How much is the book and how can I buy it?
The Bespokist Society Guide to… London is published by Acorn Independent Press. The paperback is available on Amazon for £8.99 and on Kindle for £4.99.
ISBN: 9781912615148.
About the Author
The Bespokist Society Guide to London is a work of fiction written by born and bred Londoner, Jeremy Liebster. Somewhat surprisingly, Jeremy is also a city lawyer – formerly at DLA Piper and now a General Counsel within a large private equity group. Jeremy is utterly obsessed with travel books and although he might poke fun at urban fads, hipster fried chicken is his guilty pleasure. He also has an unusual interest in clothes hangers.
What is The Bespokist Society?
A social collective with a passion for the curated and the bespoke. Like the impressionists who forged an artistic movement in the fin de siecle coffee shops of Paris, The Bespokist Society began in a biospheric winery in Norbiton in 2013.
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* We were given a copy of the cookbook for free in return for a feature. All opinions are our own.
34 comments
Oh this sounds like a book I might like to read actually. I get way more time to read during the summer as we go away more and I can enjoy a book in the car as long as Im not driving!
You would love this Laura, its just a thin book and quite entertaining as well
Oo my brother lives in London and is a chef, so this could be the perfect book for him to enjoy 🙂
Yes and its funny too, so worth the read
Not sure that this is my kind of book – if it was real life I might be persuaded to read it
Yes if you do like London and all it has to offer Kara
I do like quick thin books, especially ones sometimes that are different from genres I tend to read normally.
These are great for a quick read and especially when you are on a holiday x
Oooh this looks like an awesome and quick read, one that would be a delightful addition to our ‘toilet’ book shelf.
Glad to hear that Laura
Okay – this looks like a fun and quirky read. I am definitely going to check this out.
Interesting travel guide, funny and a good source for laugh.
Is this available in ebook form?
Yes a really fun read Suzanne, hope you do check it out
Nice review. This sounds like an interesting book.
Thanks David, glad you enjoyed reading the post
That’s a shame that it’s not about real places in London but it still sounds pretty interesting x
Yes, its entertaining Rhian and a fun read for sure
Glad to learn about Bespokist society in London. Been to London last year and I really love to find out more indepth about this part of the city.
Fb to hear that, you would love this book as its so quirky
This sounds like my kind of book, a really entertaining read!
This definitely sounds like it would be an interesting read. I would love to check this out.
Hope you do Becca
For one time read, I would like to read this book too. The emoticon themed hotels sound so fun btw.
Yes it does Shilpa
This sounds really funny and different, what a shame it’s not real though!
Well fiction is great sometimes and lets the mind wonder
I haven’t heard of this book. I really have no time to read these days either, sadly.
This is a nice thin book Heather so great to read when you are on the tube or waiting for a friend to arrive
This book sounds so interesting! I love finding out the inside of what life is really like!
You would enjoy reading it Ada
Sounds like a great entertaining book to read this summer! Love the size of it as well x
Thank you for your comments
I loved this book. It’s pure British sarcasm at its best. I admit, it’s not for everyone but if you enjoy witty with a pinch of dark and sarcasm, this is definitely something you will enjoy.
Thanks Kate, glad you like the book too x