I’ve got a new thriller out this week, under my pen name of S.K. Tremayne. I am pleased with the book, and I believe it’s entertaining. I am also aware that, in a tough and competitive market, that may not be enough for it to succeed. I am even more aware that readers might decide the book is dreck. They might give me one star reviews, and no sales. Then the book will crater, my publishers will probably abandon me, and my nice career will drift to an end.

In short, the building is appalling, and it’s not going to get better over time

In short, the building is appalling, and it’s not going to get better over time

And that, of course, is how it should be. No one in any career is entitled to a free ride. That especially applies to people who get to do a desirable, creative job such as novel writing. Whether you’re a writer, actor, director, sculptor or musician – if you want that enviably fun creative profession, you live and die by public approval; and if you are bad, goodbye.

Unless, of course, you are an architect. I was reminded of this peculiar anomaly by last week’s furore over the latest architectural wart to attach itself to London’s battered face: the already notorious ‘Belgrove House’, that now dominates a prime corner of Euston Road, where it sits right next to King’s Cross and St Pancras. I presume it has been situated in London after the original design was rejected by a horrified Uzbek government, as being too ugly for Tashkent.

If you have not seen it yet, the best way to get a sense is to look at photos like the one here. Briefly. The second best........

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