What Goes Around: A London Cycle Courier's Story

A superb book that clearly and intelligently gives us an insight into many of the joys and trials of life as a cycle courier. Emily's writing is so creative and fresh and she pours so much of herself into her words that you feel you come to know her personally through the narrative. This is not a rant about the tribulations of dealing with selfish motorists or a bigoted public but a beautiful picture of her life as a cycle messenger, an intermingling of her clear love for cycling and the city (there's a title for a future tv series !) with the the realities of some of the day-to-day difficulties of life and work on the road. We hear of Emily's admiration for other couriers and her respect for the history of this way of life, we read of her encounters with difficult people and the graciousness with which she treats them, we learn of her personal life, her vulnerabilities and her resilience and the whole story just leaves us wanting more - wanting to read more, wanting to know her as a friend, hoping that she will continue to write and record her travels. If you love cycling in any shape, form or discipline, if you love stories about life in the hustle and bustle of London, if you love genuine human stories about life, love, hopes, dreams, uncertainties and realities, then read this book - lend it out, encourage others to read it, but always get it back because it's destined to become a real classic.

A great example of 'Don't judge a book by its cover'. Bicycle messengers are far from what they seem, Emily in particular. Lovely mix of the vibrancy of the job, the web of life and history that is London and the intricacies of relationships. Makes cycling around London that but more thoughtful but need to make sure I don't start being a fakenger (see the glossary) . Looking forward to reading more from Emily and her adventures. Good for novices and seasoned cyclists alike.

I love this book partly because it is so well produced, properly proof-read and pays attention to all of the other things that are so important and increasingly neglected in these times of instant publication. In true academic style, there is a glossary of terms for the general reader, a Prologue and thoughtful Acknowledgements. Emily Chappell writes with the eye of a good fiction story-teller; but I would wager that there is little fiction in this very genuine story of daily hardship and exhilaration. The story appeals to the general reader and is an education for all of us, of how a small, shifting crowd of poorly paid workers carry out their tasks with expertise, little remuneration, little thanks and little comprehension by the motorists and others with whom they have daily brushes. Chappell describes this dangerous job with little sentimentality, exploring carefully her own physical and emotional exhaustion which goes with the territory. She gives us genuine insights into London life. This book is well worth reading, whatever your attitude to the invention of the bicycle.

Emily Chappell is a tough cookie, as evidenced by her cycling exploits since this book was written. Her frank and honest writing style reflects the self-doubt she originally encountered when she started working as a cycle courier in those halcyon, pre-digital days.There's not a single point in the book where I doubted her account of London courier life, and her account of crashes, near misses, allergies and pollution proved to be a real page-turner. This is an engaging read, high on reality and low on rose-tinted glasses. I bought my copy as a high-quality used book from Amazon, and was delighted to find it was signed by the author. An extra bonus!

A quirky side of London life: a courier's eye view. The book needs a street map of London so that you can spot the locations mentioned as points of interest. Interesting characters abound and add colour to the tales told at speed, courier speed.

I enjoyed the book and found it very interesting to get a different perspective on life and cycling generally. The life of cycling couriers has always been fascinating to me and this book opened up a window into that world, the honest approach was welcome. My takeaway from the book was the introduction to Iris Murdock's work, she is an author that I knew nothing about and am grateful that Emily referenced her work in the book and brought Iris to my attention. I am now gradually getting through Iris's books and discovering what a great writer she was. Thanks Emily.

A good book offering interesting insights into the world of London courierdom - I love this stuff and find it fascinating. What Ms Chappell has included certainly doesn't disappoint, but what she inexplicably left out does disappoint. Where are the chapter or chapters about the bikes?! So much more could and should have been said about this important aspect of courierdom; the bikes she rode and how she rode them are barely mentioned, and then only in passing. It would have been great - and totally appropriate for the book's audience - to include a fair amount of material on:- riding fixed - what does this mean? She clicked into the pedals - what does that mean? What is the relationship between fixed gear riding and bike couriers? Do most ride fixed? Is this a thing? What gear ratios are favoured, and why? One afternoon the author has to ride brakeless - how??? How do you ride around London without brakes?! She says in passing that she disliked her Condor Pista... where is the whole story about this bike? When acquired? How did it ride? Is it fixed? Does it have brakes? Why did she end up disliking it? What bikes did her courier friends ride and how? etc. etc. Ms Chappell can certainly write a good story, and I hope her future efforts will include more about the bikes - e.g. the Shand Stooshie that (I believe) she currently adventures on.

This book was recommended to me by a friend. Considering that he led me to believe that the book was more about London than about being a cycle courier and that I have no interest in cycling or couriering, I read it from cover to cover and thoroughly enjoyed it. The reasons I enjoyed it so much are that Emily Chappell is very observant, a talented writer and a natural story teller. When an author has that combination, buying her book is a safe bet. This isn't the first book I have bought 'by mistake' and ended up being glad that I did. I'm very happy to give it five stars and to recommend it.