At Lockwood
by Keith Fisher (Centric Corporate, Centurion, R150, including postage)
If not told that Keith Fisher is a born and bred South African, many readers may think that the author of this exciting and gripping novel is a budding English writer living in Oxford, as his story alternates between Oxford and Milan.
His main character is Edward Marlow, whose ambition is to become a painter. His father, Major General Harold Marlow, wanted him to follow in the footsteps of his forebears by joining the armed services.
Fortunately his mother, Marjorie, backs Edward. After studying at the Sloan School of Art, London, in 1929 he visits Milan for two reasons.
First, he has a shopping list from Major Atwood inspired by Milan’s industrial muscle and its pivotal role in the manufacture of armaments for Mussolini’s new “Roman Legions”, and second, to turn his attention to his painting.
After completing his assignment for Major Atwood, Edward makes his way around the poorer section of the city in search of young men from rural areas who have strong, distinctive regional features and who have been attracted to the growing industrial centre.
They represent the vigour and vibrancy he seeks in focusing on the youth of Europe “who would shape the future”.
It is in one of Milan’s industrial suburbs that Edward comes across young Guido Benito Vietri and paints him. This is the painting that appears on the cover of the book and which makes Edward’s reputation as a painter.
We also learn what happens to Edward’s childhood friend, Rupert “Squirrel” Skinner, who tragically becomes entangled in the politics of Sir Oswald Mosley, leader of the British Union of Fascists. Again Fisher cleverly mixes truth and fiction.
l To buy the book, e-mail [email protected] or visit the website www.keithfisher.co.za – Cyrus Smith