am writing a story which is set in London during the 1960s. I want to understand life and language back then. Can anyone recommend any books set in this time and place or were published in the sixties who's story was also set in London at this time.
I really want to get a feel on what it was like and the language used etc.
Many thanks in advance.
The London Radio Pirates
Here is a little information from someone who turned sixteen in 1960 and was born and brought up in London. First and foremost 1960 heralded in the end of the hardship caused by the war. In this decade we had vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, TVs, private telephones and other home gadgets, Elvis Presley, Bill Haley and dozens of other well- known pop singers. We danced Rock n Roll and we went to discos. Normal teenagers did not take drugs and did not consume alcohol like they do today. We wore hooped skirts and ballerina shoes and thought we looked gorgeous. It was the era of womens rights. Girls considered they had the right to go to university and have GCE qualifications. Life changed radically, London became multi-cultural and there were some very outspoken authors. Maureen Duffy, Doris Lessing,Muriel Spark, J.G. Ballard just to mention a few.
It was also the era of the anti-novels, Brooke-Rose, Iris Murdoch and John Fowles.
Go to www.continuumbooks.com - British Fiction in the Sixties. I shall never forget Swinging London in the 60s, that was my youth. I hope this has helped a little, good luck.