The latest novel from Bath author Douglas Wescott, titled ‘An Unfolding Soul: A Tale of Bath’, has shed new light on parts of the city and its history that most readers would be surprised to learn.  

Douglas Wescott, understood to be a pseudonym for a well-known Bath businessman, has released a new tale set in the historic city of Bath.

An Unfolding Soul: A Tale of Bath, published by Valley Spring Press, tells the story of a businessman awaking from a coma in Bath’s Royal United Hospital in the 1960s. Having lost his property empire and the entirety of his fortune, he searches to rebuild his life against the backdrop of a changing Bath in the swinging sixties.

Nowadays, Bath is world-famous for its wonderfully preserved Georgian buildings and UNESCO World Heritage Site status, but this important novel explores how the societal upheaval of the 1960s brought the threat of drastic change to the city’s skyline from eager developers.

The novel interweaves business, politics and of course, the history of the city – occasionally painting a shocking portrait of Bath and aspects of its colourful past. The book has received a number of glowing reviews, including the following:

“A great yarn. Douglas Westcott is a natural storyteller who very successfully weaves Bath’s history into a page turning tale.” – Michael Symons

Intrigued? You’ll have to read the book to find out more!

The sequel to ‘Go Swift and Go Far’

Westcott’s latest novel, released in September 2018, is actually the follow-up from his debut book titled ‘Go Swift and Go Far’. This best-selling work, which sold over 10,000 copies in Bath alone, tells the tale of an orphan boy during the wartime German raids on Bath in 1942. As this novel steps back even further in time that ‘An Unfolding Soul’, exploring Bath’s history through literary works such as these is a great way to find out more about the city and really get under its skin.  

Visiting Bath’s many bookshops

If you’re interested in picking up a copy of ‘An Unfolding Soul: A Tale of Bath’, it’s a brilliant excuse to visit some of the city’s many fabulous bookshops. The novel is on sale at the following independent shops and chain retailers:

• Waterstones on Milsom Street
• Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights on John Street
• Topping & Co at The Paragon
• Oldfield Park Bookshop on Moorland Road
• The Julian House Bookshop on Walcot Street.

Reading ‘An Unfolding Soul’ against the backdrop of the city

If you’re a Bath resident or a visitor to the city, you’ll have great fun recognising some of Bath’s famous landmarks and buildings in Douglas Westcott’s novels. Some may not even exist anymore, as the author used historical records to paint his portrait of the city complete with buildings that have been lost.

Once you’ve read the latest Westcott novel, make sure you plan a visit to Bath soon. Book a stay at Bath Holiday Rentals and take your pick from elegant self-catering apartments spread across the city centre – close to all attractions and amenities, including bookshops!