The Empirical Observations of Algernon

by Iain Cameron Williams

The Empirical Observations of Algernon by Iain Cameron Williams is a journey into the everyday unknown and the everyday ordinary. Kooky, quirky, passionate, cool, and on occasions, provocative. The strength of the narrative comes, in essence, as much from the reader's soul as that of Algernon’s. The writer, as a traveller, is as much a tourist as a documenter; the two go hand in hand. The Empirical Observations of Algernon [vol. II] is the second volume in an intended series of four and contains poetry, prose, observation, and photography. For this travelogue, the writer visits America (New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles), Canada (Toronto), Germany (Berlin), and various cities in England, Wales, and Scotland. The paperback contains 149 colour photographs.
‘Ole & Steen, Chichester, Bethesda, Sheffield, urban art, America, New York City, Andy Warhol, Madison Square Park, Otto Kahn, Bosie Tea Parlor, Bryant Park, Amtrak, Syracuse, Canada, Toronto, Casa Loma, L.A., The ACE, Hollywood, Griffith Observatory, The Getty, Santa Monica, San Francisco, Al Capone, Castro, Rudolf Nureyev, Joachim, Edinburgh, Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh Waverley, the Famous Four, Berlin, Neues Museum, Eldorado Café, and Adelaide Hall,’ all come together in the life of Iain Cameron Williams in volume II of the Empirical Observations of Algernon.

129 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 17, 2022

About the author

Iain Cameron Williams was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, of Scottish and Welsh ancestry. His mother was born in New York, America, and his father was born in Kalimpong, West Bengal, India. His grandfather is the missionary, writer, and poet Rev. Aeneas Francon Williams, and his great grandfather is the renowned Welsh writer and geographer John Francon Williams. On his maternal side, Williams is a third cousin of the author D. H. Lawrence. Iain Cameron Williams is the writer of The KAHNS of Fifth Avenue [publ. 2022], and the travelogues The Empirical Observations of Algernon (vol. I & II). Williams' debut novel for younger readers, The Tail of 'Too Bad' Mike (audiobook released July 2023, narrated by Eilidh Beaton), follows the adventures of a skateboarding shrew named Mike. Set in the fictitious kingdom of Pembridge, the story introduces the reader to a curious little world full of hidden meanings. ‘Too Bad’ Mike™

Brighton Follies - A Stage Musical in Two Acts [publ. Nov 2023].

The Clock Winder: a short story [publ. Dec. 2024].

The Empirical Observations of Algernon (vol III) travelogue, to be published in 2025.

To read a selection of poetry from The Empirical Observations of Algernon (vol I) follow the link: https://b2l.bz/XKlHUM

Karaoke Freedom, a new screenplay by Iain Cameron Williams to be published in 2025. Set in Brighton in 2010 during the annual PRIDE event. '’An uplifting story of hope, diversity and challenge..."

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I preferred this volume to Williams' first volume; the itinerary was more cohesive. Any travelogue is subjective to the writer's personality; that said, Williams' journey and the places he visits and stays at fascinated me. I also like how he interjects episodes from his past into the narrative, giving an insight into his character. Some perceptively captured images compliment his observations. I read the book in an evening-the Getty looks stunning. I shall take the book with me when I visit the west coast of America next year for reference.