AA Pub Guide 2007 Book

4.5
The third James Attlee book that I've read and thoroughly enjoyed. 
Isolarion is a book about Oxford, or more specifically a book about Cowley Road in unfashionable East Oxford. A road he describes as "both unique and nothing special".
Attlee has the advantage of living in the area he writes about so his 'pilgrimage' is a series of journeys from his own front door. He visits many of the shops and small businesses, often trying to find the  human story behind the shop front. 
His visit to a spa where he tries out the flotation tank is very funny, and I loved the description of a furtive visit to a Private Shop too where he always seemed to see someone he knew before attempting to slip through the door.
I love the way his mind flits from subject to subject as his journey continues. I had no idea that we here in the UK publish so many books that thousands lie waiting for pulping. However pulping is expensive so unwanted books are now mixed with bitumen and used to make motorways. Apparently we might find the road a bit bumpy if we drive over erotic books!
However, my interest always dipped when he is reporting verbatim some of the conversations he has. Attlee's voice is always far more interesting. He's a wonderful writer!