Islington by Paul Bewsher (1917)
Islington is a novel about a young man named Tom who moves to the London borough of Islington in search of a new life. He quickly finds himself in a world of crime, drugs, and violence, and must find a way to survive in this unfamiliar environment. Tom meets a variety of characters, from the local gangsters to the police, and discovers the secrets of the borough. He also discovers the power of friendship and loyalty, and learns to trust in himself and his own abilities. The novel follows Tom as he navigates his way through the borough, learning about its culture and its people. He discovers the beauty of Islington, as well as its dark side, and learns to accept the good and the bad. Islington is a story of hope and redemption, and a reminder that no matter how dark the world may seem, there is always a way out.
By Paul Bewsher · First published 1917 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Drama · 156 words
First lines
Here slow decay with creeping finger peels The yellow plaster from the grimy walls, Like leprous lichen, day by day which falls, And, day by day, more rotting stone reveals! Here are old mournful squares through which there steals No cheerful music, or the heedless calls Of laughing children; and the smoke, which crawls Across the sky, the heavy silence seals!
Lean, blackened trees stretch up their withered boughs Behind the rusty railings, prison-bound, In vain they seek the summer sunlight's gold In which their long-dead fathers used to drowse: For pallid terraces lie far around, In gloomy sadness ever growing old.
What this Textopian page supports
Islington is listed on Textopian as a poem by Paul Bewsher, dated 1917 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Paul Bewsher
- Date: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Drama, Mystery
- Length: 156 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Islington by Paul Bewsher
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Islington?
- How does this poem by Paul Bewsher fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Fringe Of Heaven by Paul Bewsher
- A Fallen Leaf by Paul Bewsher
- Dreams Of Autumn by Paul Bewsher
- Autumn Regrets by Paul Bewsher
- Despair by Paul Bewsher
- The Night Raid by Paul Bewsher
Genres
- Historical Fiction — The book is set in the Islington area of London in the early 20th century, and follows the lives of the characters as they experience the changing times and the effects of the two World Wars.
- Romance — The book follows the romantic relationships of the characters, and explores the themes of love, loss, and heartbreak.
- Drama — The book follows the lives of the characters as they experience the highs and lows of life, and explores the themes of family, friendship, and loyalty.
- Mystery — The book follows the characters as they uncover secrets and mysteries from the past, and explores the themes of identity and truth.
Tags
1914-1918 · 1918 · Aeronautics · Poetry · World War · across · calls · cheerful · children · crawls · creeping · day