On Hampstead Heath by Marika Cobbold

The latests in my reviews of London books is On Hampstead Heath by Marika Cobbold.

I first came across this novel when I heard Marika discuss it at Chiswick Book Festival towards the end of the summer in 2021.  With the main character a writer and the setting of Hampstead (a part of London I love), I knew this was a book I wanted to read.

Thorn Marsh is a journalist with an upbringing of secrets and half truths.  She is now a journalist who prides herself on uncovering and writing the truth.  She works on the newsdesk for a reputable London newspaper where her dedication to her job has cost her a marriage and any form of life outside of work.  When the newspaper is bought by a large corporation who value sales figures over facts she questions their methods.  Consequently she is seen as ‘difficult’ and is moved from the hardhitting news desk to a midweek supplement called The Bright Side.  Here she is expected to write heart warming feel good stories.

This is absolutely not Thorns idea of journalism, and she cannot hide her displeasure at being moved.  When she is shown a photograph taken by her ex husband of an angelic looking man supposedly jumping from a bridge on Hampstead Heath, her imagination gets the better of her.  Late one night, fuelled by alcohol and desperation, she files a mostly fabricated story based on this sighting.

The fall out is immediate as the story goes viral and speculation as to the man’s identity is rife.  In an attempt to try and right her wrongs, Thorn goes in search of the truth behind this story. She finds the unknown man in hospital and seeks to uncover who he is.  Despite her laudable intentions, in order to publish the truth she becomes embroiled in further deceit.

On Hampstead Heath poses the question “How much of what we read in the newspapers, and on social media, is true?”  It explores what happens when a story with only a grain of truth in it goes viral and how quickly things can spiral out of control.  This is all particularly relevant in today’s climate.   This is a humorous examination of how news is written and consumed. Even Thorn with her inbuilt desire to write the truth is easily swayed and the flaws in her character are revealed through this.

The collection of supporting characters are interesting and I love the different relationships Thorn had with each of them.  Her friendship with her elderly neighbour was particularly sweet, and a lovely example of the value of intergenerational friendship.

I loved this insight into newsrooms and journalism and it has made me think again about the importance of questioning everything we read and consume.  This a compact 238 page intelligent novel which is easy to read. It addresses serious issues but it will certainly make you chuckle along the way.

I was surprised to realise I had not previously read anything by Marika Cobbold. Having read and loved On Hampstead Heath, I shall be scouring my local second hand book shop for more by her.

As an aside I realise that of the last 5 London books I have shared with you here, three have been set in Hampstead. Other London book setting recommendations gratefully received!

See my other London Reads here

You can purchase At The Pond and support local bookshops here.