The Restoration of Otto Laird

by Nigel Packer

Elderly retired architect Otto Laird lives a peaceful, if slightly bemused, existence in Switzerland with his second wife, Anika. Once renowned for his radical and controversial designs, he now spends his days communing with nature and writing eccentric (and un-posted) letters to old friends. But Otto's comfortable life is rudely interrupted when he learns that his most significant and revolutionary building, Marlowe House, a 1960s local authority tower block in south London is to be demolished. Otto is outraged. Determined to do everything in his power to save the building, he reluctantly agrees to take part in a television documentary, which will mean returning to London for the first time in twenty-five years to live for a week in Marlowe House. Once Otto becomes reacquainted with the city he called home for most of his life, his memories begin to come alive. And as he explores his past, ponders his present and considers the future -- for himself and his building -- Otto embarks on a most remarkable journey, one that will change everything he ever thought he knew about himself and those closest to him.
Funny, moving and heart-warming, this is a novel featuring one of the most endearing protagonists you will ever meet, whose story will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

• ISBN10: 0751553050
• ISBN13: 9780751553055
• Publish Date: 28 August 2014
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 3 March 2015
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
• Imprint: Sphere
• Format: Paperback (UK Trade)
• Pages: 352
• Language: English

Reviews

[stressedrach]

Now I must admit when I first started this book I didn't think I would manage to finish it, in fact I almost gave up until I read a few reviews saying that it does get better as the story goes on, and I am so glad that I continued with it.

In the book description it does state that this is funny, I did not particularly find anything funny about it really. Otto had just had another bout of surgery and needed to go back to London to save Marlowe House, and a documentary may do the trick, therefore he is interviewed for this documentary and meets residents of Marlowe House and ask their thoughts too. Now Otto left London and hadn't been back for twenty-five years so that in itself must have been quite daunting for him. When he lays eyes on Marlowe House and how different it was now from when it was first built his heart sank. It was ruined, almost beyond repair, it didn't look the same.
While filming the documentary and spending time in London he has a lot of reveries about time gone by, his childhood, how he met his first wife, where they lives, his son, things that went wrong and how he sadly lost his wife. But does he manage to save Marlowe House? You will have to read to find out.
I actually liked Otto, his flash backs to the past were quite emotional in places.
I would recommend this book and don't be put off like I almost was, it is a remarkable novel.