The Restoration of Otto Laird - Hardcover

"Packer weaves together the strands of Otto's life with a narrative dexterity rarely seen in first novels, splicing in written letters and flashbacks. Densely layered, Packer's novel explores the importance of introspection, the durability of memory, and the conflict between man-made order and natural chaos. Readers who enjoy the work of Francine Prose and Charles Belfoure will adore Packer's haunting and poignant novel." -"Booklist," starred review

"Poignant . . . a sympathetic story." -"Kirkus"
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"""Emotional, poignant and touching. It's a book we can all relate to, about love, regret and moving on. An amazing read." --Deborah Rodriguez, author of "The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul"
" "
"""I raced through this book in one day. The eccentric and engaging character of this ageing Otto gripped me from the start. I was very moved by his struggle with his 'buttoned-up' nature and avoidance of a painful past. Well-written and informative on many levels, this is a novel to savour." --Hilary Boyd, author of "Thursdays in the Park"

Packer weaves together the strands of Otto s life with a narrative dexterity rarely seen in first novels, splicing in written letters and flashbacks. Densely layered, Packer s novel explores the importance of introspection, the durability of memory, and the conflict between man-made order and natural chaos. Readers who enjoy the work of Francine Prose and Charles Belfoure will adore Packer s haunting and poignant novel. "Booklist," starred review

Poignant . . . a sympathetic story. "Kirkus"
""
"""Emotional, poignant and touching. It's a book we can all relate to, about love, regret and moving on. An amazing read." --Deborah Rodriguez, author of "The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul"
" "
"""I raced through this book in one day. The eccentric and engaging character of this ageing Otto gripped me from the start. I was very moved by his struggle with his 'buttoned-up' nature and avoidance of a painful past. Well-written and informative on many levels, this is a novel to savour." --Hilary Boyd, author of "Thursdays in the Park""

Packer weaves together the strands of Otto s life with a narrative dexterity rarely seen in first novels, splicing in written letters and flashbacks. Densely layered, Packer s novel explores the importance of introspection, the durability of memory, and the conflict between man-made order and natural chaos. Readers who enjoy the work of Francine Prose and Charles Belfoure will adore Packer s haunting and poignant novel. Booklist, starred review

Poignant . . . a sympathetic story. Kirkus

"Emotional, poignant and touching. It's a book we can all relate to, about love, regret and moving on. An amazing read." --Deborah Rodriguez, author of The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul

"I raced through this book in one day. The eccentric and engaging character of this ageing Otto gripped me from the start. I was very moved by his struggle with his 'buttoned-up' nature and avoidance of a painful past. Well-written and informative on many levels, this is a novel to savour." --Hilary Boyd, author of Thursdays in the Park

"Packer weaves together the strands of Otto's life with a narrative dexterity rarely seen in first novels, splicing in written letters and flashbacks. Densely layered, Packer's novel explores the importance of introspection, the durability of memory, and the conflict between man-made order and natural chaos. Readers who enjoy the work of Francine Prose and Charles Belfoure will adore Packer's haunting and poignant novel." -Booklist, starred review

"Poignant . . . a sympathetic story." -Kirkus

"Emotional, poignant and touching. It's a book we can all relate to, about love, regret and moving on. An amazing read." --Deborah Rodriguez, author of The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul

"I raced through this book in one day. The eccentric and engaging character of this ageing Otto gripped me from the start. I was very moved by his struggle with his 'buttoned-up' nature and avoidance of a painful past. Well-written and informative on many levels, this is a novel to savour." --Hilary Boyd, author of Thursdays in the Park

Retired architect Otto Laird is living a peaceful, if slightly bemused, existence in Switzerland with his second wife, Anika. Once renowned for his radical designs, Otto now spends his days communing with nature and writing eccentric letters to old friends (which he doesn't mail). But Otto's comfortable life is rudely interrupted when he learns that his most significant and revolutionary building, Marlowe House, a 1960s tower block estate in South London is set to be demolished.

Otto is outraged. Determined to do everything in his power to save the building, he reluctantly agrees to take part in a television documentary, which will mean returning to London for the first time in twenty-five years to live for a week in Marlowe House. Once Otto becomes reacquainted with the city he called home for most of his life, his memories begin to come alive. And as he mines his past and considers life moving forward -- for himself and his building -- Otto embarks on a remarkable journey that will change everything he ever thought he knew.