Read On! Competition

2014

THE MISSING LINK!

LONDONThis book is about the gorgeous city of London. An interesting trip through its history and culture. Two thousands years ago, London was a village by the River Thames. Then the Romans arrived and called it ‘’Londinium’’: they built cities and roads, and they brought their culture there. After the Angles, the Saxons and other Barbarians came. In the ninth and tenth centuries, the Danish ships came up the River Thames and most Londinium’s buildings were destroyed. In 1066 the King was William the Conqueror, from France. He lived in a big castle that today we know as the tower of London. A huge disaster came in the quiet city in 1666: the Great Fire of London. A lot of houses and streets burnt that night. The fire destroyed also St. Paul’s Cathedral but a new one has been built between 1675 and 1711. London started to be a powerful city since Queen Victoria was the Queen.

Today London has the most exciting new buildings in the world. About 300 languages are spoken there. London is also the Queen’s home: you can visit Buckingham Palace, the Queen’s Gallery, watch the soldiers change the guard. You should take a look to the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London, and you can admire the dome in St. Paul Cathedral, 110 metres high. King George the Second gave Number 10 to Sir Robert Walpole in 1735, and British Prime Ministers began to live in 10 Downing Street from that time. Westminster Abbey is London’s oldest and most famous church: english Kings and Queens always have their coronation here. The Houses of Parliament is the home of British government. The clock high up on the building is called Big Ben, but really Big Ben is the bell on the clock which rings every hour. The London Eye is a big wheel 135 metres high, it was built in 2000 and celebrates the Millennium. It is composed by capsules, where you can see the view of London. There are a lot of parks in this city such as Hyde Park, Regent’s Park and St. James Park.

London is also a smart city: the most visited museums are the National Gallery, the Tate Modern, the British Museum, Madame Tussauds and the Museum of London. The Underground of London is the oldest in Europe and it’s called the Tube; another way to travel here in London is by bus: the famous red bus, the double decker bus, or you can go in one of London’s black taxis. You can buy nearly everything in London and the most famous and expensive shop is Harrods, in Knightsbridge. Oxford street has many big shops too. When it’s time for food, this city has food from all over the world such as from Italy, Spain, India, China exc. You must try the traditional fish and chips, or go in tipical pubs when you visit London.

But let’s go back to the dark side…

Dr Jekyll and Mr HydeMr. Utterson is a London lawyer who’s a friend of Dr. Jekyll. Jekyll left his regular work to dedicate to an experiment with non-traditional medicine. Utterson is surprised about the fact that Jekyll in his will wants to leave all his money to his new partner Mr. Hyde. Utterson hates Mr. Hyde and he believes his friend is being blackmailed. One day, a Utterson’s customer has been murdered and Hyde is suspected of the crime. He’s disappeared and Jekyll says he hasn’t seen Hyde and he’s not his partner anymore. Then he locks himself into his laboratory and he shouts to his servants to bring some chemicals. They notice a change in his voice and they think Jekyll has been murdered and another man is in that room. They ask for help to Utterson and he comes at once. He breaks down the door and he finds out Hyde’s body lying on the floor. He’s dead. He has killed himself with poison. The lawyer supposes that Hyde killed Jekyll but he doesn’t find his body. He finds a letter as regards the relationship about Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Dr. Jekyll tried to separate his personality thereby he created a powerful potion that releases his evil side, Mr. Hyde. Firstly he enjoyed his two sides because he could do everything he wanted without being discovered. When he found out Hyde had killed Carew though, he decided to never take the potion anymore. However Hyde became stronger and he emerges although Jekyll didn’t want him. On the one hand, he didn’t want to drink the potion, on the other hand, he had to do it. He needed it to do not allow Hyde to take control of him. Even though the potion began to be useless because Hyde was able to avoid the effects. In conclusion he decided to kill himself; therefore his death was due to the will of getting rid of Mr. Hyde.

Why are these books connected?The answer is London, both

melancholic and interesting. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is settled in this

awesome city; London with his atmosphere is a perfect

place to develop this mysterious plot.

THE END Daniele Perconti

e Assia Aceto

3° L