I first heard of this book, and indeed this writer, at a U3A session. Coincidentally the author was then a guest of Michael Berkeley on Radio 3s Private Passions and I realised that she had written the introduction to a Michael Morpurgo book I had read recently. I have not worked out quite why she was asked to do this but there is probably a connection of which I do not know.
So now of course I have read the book. It is essentially a children’s book but that has never bothered me. Katherine Rundell is a polymath with a mind-blowing intelligence. Immediately after graduating she applied to be a fellow of All Souls College Oxford. After being accepted she completed her doctorate, became a full-time writer … and a rooftop climber.
The climbing was apparently inspired by a 1937 book: ‘The Night Climbers of Cambridge’ about the late-night adventures of the undergrads there. Katherine Rundell becomes a little shy about any further details as one can imagine that the idea of climbing the rooftops of the Oxford colleges involves breaking many rules.
Anyway, her story involves the rooftops of Paris, safely away from Oxbridge. It is well written, an easy read and enjoyable. Would be a lovely gift for a bright reader aged 10 or more. Katherine Rundell has won awards for another book about why adults should read children’s books. I haven’t yet read that one.