The Anthony Powell Society Newsletter

Issue 55, Summer 2014, ISSN 1743-0976, £3

Curry Lunches London & New York Summer Saturday Saturday 28 June Stroll Through Soho & Mayfair To commemorate the opening of The Kindly Ones In the Footsteps of and the start of WWI Milly Andriadis and Charles Stringham Details on page 18 To be followed by lunch at Da Corradi in Shepherd Market Saturday 14 June Details on page 18

Contents From the Secretary’s Desk … 2 Lady Widmerpool’s Purse – II … 3-7 Anthony Powell & Carel Weight … 8-11 Kaggsy’s Ramblings – BDFR … 12-14 Kaggsy’s Ramblings – TK … 15-17 Dates for Your Diary … 18-19, 22 Society Notices … 20-21 Local Group News … 23 REVIEW: Lisa Colletta … 24-27 Letters to the Editor … 28 Cuttings … 29-33 Merchandise & Membership … 34-36 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #55

From the Secretary’s Desk The Anthony Powell Society Registered Charity No. 1096873 This issue of the Newsletter brings good news. First of all we welcome some new The Anthony Powell Society is a volunteers to the team. charitable literary society devoted to the life and works of the English author Stephen Walker has agreed to take on Anthony Dymoke Powell, 1905-2000. both the role of Social Secretary and that of Newsletter and Journal Editor. I have Officers & Trustees edited this issue of the Newsletter (I already had most of the material) and will Patron: John MA Powell be gradually handing over editorial duties President: The Earl of Gowrie PC, FRSL to Stephen in the coming months; I know Hon. Vice-Presidents: he already has lots of good ideas for Julian Allason articles. I retain overall responsibility as Patric Dickinson LVO the Society’s publisher. Michael Meredith Handover of the Social Secretary role will Dr Jeremy Warren FSA also be gradual. Stephen’s first challenge Society Trustees: was to nominate a restaurant for the Jeffrey Manley (USA) London Group Stonehurst Curry Lunch in Dr Keith C Marshall (Hon. Secretary) June (see page 18). Some events (eg. the Dr Derek WJ Miles (Hon. Treasurer) AGM) have to remain the preserve of the Harry Mount Hon. Secretary or Trustees, so Stephen’s AC (Tony) Robinson (Acting Chairman) role is essentially to organise two or three Prof. John Roe events each year, plus the London AP Elwin Taylor (Switzerland) Birthday Lunch. Membership Secretary: Keith Marshall Robin Bynoe (who, like Stephen, will be Social Secretary: Stephen Walker known to London Pub Meet habitués) has volunteered to take on the role of Merchandise Secretary: Robin Bynoe Merchandise Secretary. With luck and a Newsletter & Secret Harmonies Editor: fair wind the merchandise role will have Stephen Walker been handed over to Robin by the time Hon. Archivist: Noreen Marshall you read this. All correspondence should be sent to: Robin Bynoe and Graham Page have also Hon. Secretary, Anthony Powell Society heroically put themselves forward as 76 Ennismore Avenue, Greenford Trustees and we anticipate asking you to UB6 0JW, UK elect them formally at this year’s AGM in Phone: +44 (0) 20 8864 4095 October. Fax: +44 (0) 20 8020 1483 The good news continues as we are Email: [email protected] pleased to be able to hold subscriptions and merchandise prices at the current Cover photograph © John S Monagan 1984 and reproduced by kind permission. levels despite the recent further escalation © The Anthony Powell Society, 2014. All rights reserved. in UK postage rates, especially for Published by The Anthony Powell Society. Printed and distributed by Lonsdale Direct Solutions, overseas mail. ■ Wellingborough, UK. 2 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #55

Lady Widmerpool’s Purse or The Message in the Painting – II By Antonio di Leoni with apologies to both Donna Leon and Anthony Powell

The story thus far: Comissario Brunetti sell a painting. They were, I’m sorry to has discovered an espionage plot from the say, unsaleable. Painted in a sort of Cold War involving characters in a novel primitive social realist style. He lived by Anthony Powell. His unofficial above a greengrocer shop.” investigation began with a purse he found “Do you know what became of him?” in a Venetian canal in 1958 when he was a boy. It contained a letter from a Comrade “Yes, it’s an interesting story. He died Belkin to an Englishman known as Sir about 25-30 years ago. He was very old – Kenneth Widmerpool regarding a contact might have lived to over 100 – and wasn’t between them in Venice that also involved able to get around much in his last few an artist from the novel named Daniel years. Couldn’t get up and down the stairs Tokenhouse. At the end of Part I to his apartment. After he died, it turned [Newsletter 54, Spring 2014] Signorina out that he owned the building. He left a Elettra informed Brunetti that another will, and the Commune and British character named Russell Gwinett was an Embassy tried for years to locate his heirs undercover CIA agent on the trail of these in England or anywhere else but never spies. found any. A few years ago, all his property passed by default to the After considering the information from Commune of Venice.” Signorina Elettra, Brunetti went to his friend Alfio who had an art gallery/antique “What happened to it?” shop near Santa Maria Formosa. They had known each other since school days. As “Well, they sold the building … to another he walked across the campo he saw Alfio foreigner, of course. Swiss, I think. The in the doorway and called out, “Ciao, new owners threw out the greengrocer Alfio.” whose family had run a business there for generations and lived behind the shop. “Ciao, Guido. What brings you over Gentrification has now spread even to here?” Castello. It must have been a fairly rough “Do you remember an Englishman who was an artist and lived in Castello across from the Arsenale? Name of Daniel Tokenhouse. He lived alone and never sold many paintings so far as I know.” “I remember a very old man who was an artist we called Signor Daniele but not the family name. He was certainly a foreigner and might have been English. He used to come around from time to time trying to

3 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #55 area when the Englishman moved there alone. But no one ever discovered any after the war.” linkage to organized crime. “What happened to the paintings?” Brunetti found the gallery he was looking for just as Alfio had described. He “Also an interesting story. The Commune decided to stop in the bar of the restaurant shopped them around to all likely buyers, next door, since Paola had an English including me. But no one was interested. faculty luncheon on Wednesdays and They were finally taken as a job lot by a wasn’t on hand to prepare a proper meal at new dealer who, after storing them for a home. As a result he hadn’t eaten much while, opened up a gallery in Castello … and was now quite hungry. He ordered a part of the gentrification, I guess. The glass of white wine (it was too early in the irony of it is, there is now a market for that day for one of their negrones) and a plate stuff. The Russians, Bulgarians and so of tramezzini. These, when they were set forth, who now flock here by the before him, appeared to be rather tired. thousands, started buying up these He took one bite out of an artichoke and paintings out of nostalgia. I even heard radicchio tramezzino and then tried an egg they had a retrospective exhibit of Signor and anchovy. Both were covered in Daniele’s works in St Petersburg a few mayonnaise and both were stale. He years ago. They actually have a resale pushed the plate away leaving the rest value in that part of the world.” untried, and wondered what had happened “Do you know whether there are any left?” to such old standards as prosciutto and cheese. “I should think so. The apartment was stuffed with them when he died and they After finishing his glass of wine to wash later found some more in the attics. Go down the little he had eaten of the ask at the gallery. It’s next to the Biennale disappointing snack, he went next door to entrance, behind that restaurant in the the gallery. He was approached by an Giardini that sells the best negrones in that extremely attractive shop assistant who part of town.” looked like she was somewhere south of 25. He asked for a catalogue of the Daniel “Thanks, Alfio,” said Brunetti as he began Tokenhouse collection and was handed to retrace his path through the campo on several sheets stapled together on which his way back to Castello. many of the entries had been stricken As he walked along the riva, he heard the through. The entries were written in what ancient street singer belting out her looked to him like Russian as well as repertoire, ranging from Santa Lucia to English, making the list longer than it Funiculi, Funicula. He always suspected need have been. After flipping through that the singer and her troupe were in several pages, he located a painting with a league with the army of pickpockets who name similar to that mentioned in what he lurked along the riva. The singer and her had come to call “the Belkin letter”. forebears (probably Neapolitans if their “Is this one still for sale?” he asked her. music was anything to go by) had been She looked at the catalogue entry and singing along there for as long as Brunetti asked him to wait a few minutes while she could remember. She certainly wasn’t checked. When she returned she said surviving on the basis of her singing talent “I’m sorry but that painting has just been

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Venice, Castello “Could you please remove this,” asked sold to a Russian tourist who will return to Brunetti, pointing to the backing. pick it up tomorrow morning. We hadn’t “On, no! I couldn’t do that without the yet crossed it off.” permission of the owner,” she replied. “Has it been wrapped up?” asked Brunetti. Brunetti smiled and continued, “Alora, When told that it was still unwrapped, Signorina! I could call a magistrate on my Brunetti asked if he might see it. telefonino and get a court order,” knowing full well that he couldn’t. “It would be “That would be highly irregular as it now much easier if you simply removed that belongs to the purchaser,” said the sales paper backing and let me see if what I’m assistant. looking for is in there. It has nothing to do with the painting itself. If we have to Brunetti then showed his warrant card and follow procedures, you lose a sale and I explained that the police had an interest in lose time in my investigation.” that painting, which he well knew was untrue. The sales assistant took him to the The young shop assistant considered this, rear of the shop and showed him the and then reluctantly but carefully started painting in its frame lying on a work table. removing the paper backing. Brunetti watched intently and quickly saw in the “Could I examine it?” asked Brunetti. lower right-hand corner an envelope taped “If you do so carefully,” she replied. to the back of the canvas. Brunetti examined the rear of the painting “You can stop right there. I think I see and saw that it was covered by a paper what I want.” He removed the envelope, backing to protect the canvas. He noticed which was unaddressed and sealed, opened in the lower right corner that a bit of the it and examined its contents. Satisfied that backing had been disturbed. he had found what he was looking for, he

5 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #55 returned the painting in its frame and Best regards, Your Friends in the wished the shop assistant, “Buona sera.” East. When he arrived in his office, Brunetti Brunetti became quite excited by what he closed the door and opened the letter that now saw as the possibilities that these was typed on a plain sheet of paper. It discoveries opened up for him. For years began “Dear Comrade now he had been stuck in the position of Castersugar” (which he assumed was the Commissario with no chance for codename for Kenneth Widmerpool): advancement. His wife was likewise faced with no opportunities to move up at the Elements in your government are now University. And his children were only aware of your activity on our behalf just beginning to think of university after and the successful business dealings over 20 years in high school. With these that you have facilitated. These messages and Signorina Elettra’s research, elements are preparing to take action he could help the British police solve the against you. This is largely due to the mysterious death of Lady Widmerpool. It unfortunate behaviour of your wife. might also help explain Kenneth Upon your return to your homeland, Widmerpool’s activities in England as well our people will arrange the as the US. And he could draw a line under liquidation of your wife who has the disappearance of Dr Belkin. In become extremely inconvenient. Do addition, he could also contribute not intervene in these matters. You information to East European art historians will be well rid of her and will not be who were beginning to take an interest in incriminated in her death. It will be the works of Daniel Tokenhouse. He made to look like suicide. Our people could not remember how long it had been are very good at these things. since he had had a real murder to You will become aware from the usual investigate, and he had never had an London rumormongers of imminent opportunity to crack a spy ring let alone moves to expose you and punish you become an art history informant. First, for your actions on our behalf. Do however, he had to discuss matters with not be alarmed. Our people will Paola. assure that nothing comes of these When he arrived back at the apartment, he threats by making suitable reciprocal was greeted by the smell of clams and arrangements with your government garlic – one of his favourite meals again: to let some of their agents off the pasta alla vongole. He sat down with the hook. After matters have settled family and explained his discoveries: down, you will receive an offer of employment from an institution of “Do you see what this means?” he asked higher learning in the USA. You will them. “We can now move on. No more accept this and, once in place, you environmental and illegal immigrant cases will receive further orders form us. in boring old Venice. This could mean the Once your US mission has been big time. I could be in spy novels, like completed (which may take several James Bond and George Smiley. And I years) we will arrange for your could also be interviewed by TV return to a suitable academic position presenters offering programs on the in your homeland. forgotten artist Tokenhouse.” Looking at

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Paola, he announced, “This could mean you could be head of the Department of English Literature somewhere, and the children could finally go on to university, She handed him the bowl of clams and maybe Oxford or Cambridge. And I can pasta. “But I was so looking forward to escape from the mediocrity of Vice solving this mystery because of its literary Questore Patta.” and artistic sources,” he said, somewhat “But Guido,” she responded, “don’t you abashed by her persuasive defence of the see what you’re doing? You are trying to status quo, “and I’m sure that if I could do become a cross-over character by moving more of these cultural cases, I would yourself from one novel to another. You receive more serious attention from critics risk stranding us between two authors, and scholars than I do in my present possibly losing the imaginative powers of position.” either. You certainly can’t get anywhere in “Well, be that as it may,” she replied. “I an Anthony Powell novel. That series has think we all want to remain right here in ended and so has its author. The spy Venice, in our nice apartment with a theme was never developed. It just terrace overlooking the Grand Canal. How petered out. It seems unlikely someone many other police Commissarios do you would write a sequel. Kenneth know who enjoy that kind of life? The Widmerpool died in the last novel, and children and I can make do with the there weren’t any interesting characters University of Venice or Padua. If you left to write about. We, on the other hand, want to be a literary detective on the side, are having a good run with Ms Leon. why not go out and find the Aspern We’ve been in over 20 novels and she papers? Many scholars are confident they shows no sign of running out of material. were not destroyed, or at least not all of Our marriage has survived despite all your them. That should keep you busy for a longings for Signorina Elettra, and our while without disrupting our lives. And it children have stayed out of trouble. We’ve might also get me some attention from my been in one of the longest running and fellow Henry James scholars.” most popular German TV series in history, and the producers are clamouring for He thought for a moment and decided he more. The espionage novel died with the rather liked that idea. “Where would you Cold War. Now it’s all terrorists, not spies, suggest that I start?” he asked her. and let’s face it, religious fanatics are inherently boring. Is catching terrorists “With the book, of course.” really any more exciting than Jeff Manley writes: Donna Leon’s environmental bandits and illegal Comissario Brunetti novels are published immigrants or their persecutors? I don’t in the UK by William Heinemann and in think so. And since no one you catch ever the US by Atlantic Monthly Press. The goes to jail, what does it matter? It’s latest was released in April 2014; By Its solving the mystery that’s the point. So far Cover, number 23 in the series, involves as becoming an art history informant, the antiquarian book trade. The best in my that’s hardly going to further your career in opinion are the first, Death at La Fenice law enforcement.” and number five, Acqua Alta, but it is not necessary to read them in order. ■

7 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #55 Anthony Powell and Carel Weight By Robin Bynoe

Heroes Hugh Massingberd wrote in Daydream Believer about the excitement and occasional embarrassment of having heroes. It struck a chord with me. I have always maintained to anyone who might be interested that I have four heroes from my lifetime: people who could do no wrong. There were others from the past (Goya, Haydn, Liszt, Trollope, Dracula, maybe Elizabeth Gaskell) but it was different if you couldn’t possibly have met them. Furthermore there were candidates from the present who might be “better” in some absolute sense but didn’t have the essential quality of inspiring affection as well as respect. Miles Davis, for instance, was not a nice man, and Philip K Dick was Carel Weight; Portrait by Olwyn Bowey regretfully (as Lord Sugar says) mad. So my four heroes are two American both have any more than general interest? musicians, Thelonious Monk and Morton Possibly not. It was however the sort of Feldman, the painter Carel Weight and exercise undertaken by Jenkins, when in Anthony Powell. They are all men, and reflective mood: himself and Members for artists of some sort; that’s just the way it is. instance [AW 33]; Powell did it all the time: Jenkins and Barnby, Jenkins and I saw Monk twice: across some footlights Moreland, Members and Quiggin and but far, far away. Feldman I encountered above all Jenkins and his evil twin once. Powell I never met; I attempted a Widmerpool. If it’s good enough for them fan letter but before posting it decided it’s good enough for me. against on the grounds of style. Carel Weight was a friend. Questions of Upbringing Partly because they are both English They were of the same generation, Powell (though Weight came perilously close to born in 1905 and Weight in 1908. Both being interned as an infant enemy alien in men were brought up in and around the First War) and partly because whilst London, but there the similarity in their Weight loved music Powell was backgrounds ends. Powell’s was the benevolent but cloth-eared, I mused about peripatetic life of the family of a career possible connection between those two soldier but at a more general level he rather than one involving the Americans. progressed on an even keel to Eton and Does a comparison of two men based Oxford. Weight’s father worked in a bank mainly on my personal enthusiasm for and his mother was a fashionable

8 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #55 chiropodist, reputedly attending to the artist and painted many remarkable works respective extremities of King Edward VII in the wake of the occupying armies in and Sarah Bernhardt (who presumably, Italy and Greece, which can now be seen late in life, got a fifty per cent discount); at the Imperial War Museum. They both neither parent was domestically minded became established figures in the arts and so Weight, an only child, was farmed world from the 1950s until their deaths out during the week to a family in Worlds around the turn of the Millennium. End, then a place of considerable poverty, Weight was Professor of Painting at the returning to middle-class life at the Royal College of Art, where he presided weekends. He told me that at one time he benignly over the emergence of the was the only child in his class with shoes. kitchen sink school and then English pop In Worlds End he had a surrogate mother art; he provided Bacon with a place to whom he loved and an alternative paint when in lowish water, and earlier, Christian name, ‘Vic’, ‘Victor’ being his when Kokoschka and Schwitters had second Christian name and ‘Carel’ arrived battered from Nazi Europe, he possibly thought rather German, in the gave them moral support and food parcels. context of the War. In due course, after the He was also very active in the Royal usual paternal opposition, he got into a Academy, of which he came within two second-string art school. votes of being elected President, and The sheer oddness and occasional terror of curated definitive exhibitions by Spencer this upbringing fed into his work for the and Lowry. rest of his life, just as, in Powell’s great Powell had a much less public life but novel, A Question of Upbringing set the quietly built up a body of work that caused agenda for the remainder of Jenkins’ life. many to regard him as the preeminent A connection occurred to me when I English novelist of his era. Both were recently read Julian Maclaren-Ross’s awarded the CBE and later became memoirs of his childhood. Maclaren-Ross Companions of Honour: an award reserved wrote cool, rather Powellian prose, which for those who have contributed solidly and is no doubt one reason why Powell unflashily to their sphere of activity, whom regarded him so highly, but his subject the Queen actually likes and for whom a matter – the dim suburbs of London, mere knighthood would be vulgar. family secrets, changes of name, something dangerous in the bushes and The reputations of both have languished a foreigners in the background – is much little since their deaths. Not all Powell’s closer to Weight’s. novels are in print. The average age of the members of the Anthony Powell Society Years of Discretion is, I dare say, edging up: Carel Weight Both Powell and Weight achieved some does not even have a society. note in the 1920s and 1930s. Powell was They have, of course, fans in common. a useful soldier in the War, particularly One is Lord Gowrie, who has written and latterly; Weight was an appallingly inept spoken penetratingly about both men. It private in the Royal Engineers but would be surprising if they did not also redeemed himself when, being rescued by have friends in common, but I can find Kenneth Clark, he became an official war few. Osbert Lancaster was one, but he was

9 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #55 closer to Powell than Weight. The only any formal sense, but the Bible was an one of significance that I have found is the awfully good source for stories. (He painter Adrian Daintrey, who was a good returned the compliment in the 1960s, friend of both men. Weight had told me of illustrating several books in the five- visiting Daintrey towards the end in his volume Oxford Illustrated Old Testament.) rooms in the Charterhouse. A lovely man As regards stories it seems to me that there but rather sordid, he said, latterly. Years is a connection. Weight’s conversational later I read in the Journals of Powell’s style was anecdotal. If you asked him doing the same, and possibly reaching the about someone he would tell you stories same conclusion. I lent my copy to about them. You might, anticipating the Weight. tendency for modern art critics to reduce ‘Do you know Anthony Powell?’ I said. all discussion to the exchange of abstract ‘Ah,’ said Carel. nouns, ask about some movement or other ‘Our greatest living novelist,’ I said. and he would answer with a story or three ‘Mm,’ said Carel. about the individuals concerned. As a result, you ended knowing much more I took this to mean either that he did know about the movement. Something of this Powell and that his dislike for the man lay can be seen in Dance. Widmerpool is a too deep for words, or, more likely, that he great one for abstract nouns; so are the had no idea whom I was talking about. I assorted left-wingers of the 1930s; but the retrieved my copy of the Journals after his truth emerges from the stories that Jenkins, death. It was impossible to tell from the relentlessly undogmatic, tells us. volume whether he had read it. Weight is often described as a ‘literary They did of course meet, after a fashion. painter’. When this epithet is delivered In HSH Nick attends the Dinner preceding with a sneer it is usually preceded by the the opening of the Royal Academy word ‘English’. This has to do with his Summer Exhibition. Presumably that is habit of telling stories, but there is also the drawn from life. Weight would have also suggestion of incontinent indulgence of the have been there as a Member; he never imagination. Certainly, if half way missed it. through painting a tree he saw signs of its Collages and Stories turning into a sea monster, he might well indulge them. This had its serious side. Powell was an amateur artist when young Men and women in shabby clothes would and made collages to decorate the less enact the great stories in south London formal parts of his house. Weight wrote gardens: the rape of Lucretia, the return simply but penetratingly about art, not from the dead. In his best work the really with the “stiff formality of painters’ universe positively shivers with hidden prose” [CCR 115], though one sees what meaning. Our attention is constantly Powell meant. I don’t think that literature drawn to the skull beneath the skin. was hugely important to him, unlike music, although he liked to take themes for Every time that one reads Dance, it his work from books: repeatedly from appears to be predominantly ‘about’ Shakespeare and the Bible; also the something different. The most recent time Brontës. He wasn’t a Christian, he said, in that I reread it, what struck me most was

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there it is: that’s how it came across this time. But one can take a comparison of their work only so far. One of Powell’s most effective techniques is to have Jenkins examine some state of affairs through the eyes of another character, either someone who had the benefit of being an eye witness or as a thought experiment in which Jenkins will set himself to imagine what Uncle Giles (usually) would have made of it, Giles himself being un-consulted, indeed dead. So let us imagine what each man would have made of the other’s work. Carel Weight, American Girl and Doll, 1975 There was no sign that Weight knew an underpinning to the whole thing that Powell’s work. In addition to the was not naturalistic: again, the skull exchange recorded above I can say that the beneath the skin. We all know the flight of books were not to be found in the house. I fancy with the workmen and the brazier, don’t think that he would have particularly with their echoes of the ancient world, liked them. His taste was for opera and which start and end the novel, but these romanticism. He was not much interested musings are more frequent than I had in the quiddity of the English class system. remembered. If there is a literary parallel He would have liked the oddity, but he to draw Nick will draw it: sometimes that probably wouldn’t have persevered. seems to be his main style of non- Maybe Powell shared the view current in outcomes-driven conversation. his generation that English painting, Landscapes bring to mind Babylon [HSH particularly when figurative, was 1] or ‘dark ancientness’ [MP 157]; a hotel intrinsically second rate: that a bad French recalls the Temple of Janus [AW 3]. painter was always better than the best Individuals reflect archetypes: to take just English one. I imagine that he might have one example, the War Office in MP is got stuck on the charm of Weight’s work inhabited by ‘ghouls’, ‘aggressive shades’, and not recognised the play with ‘unsleeping sages’ and ‘phantasms’, all hackneyed material as the teasing that it amidst the ‘dust of eld’; It is sometimes was. Weight, beyond the charm, was a almost as if the real action is taking place painter who took a hard, cold-blooded, at some mythical level, with Nick’s almost mathematical pleasure (to coin a immediate experiences mere reflections, phrase) in the architecture of his paintings; like those in Plato’s cave. Poussin, as for Powell, was his hero. But I I know that that is very far from the suspect that Powell, like Weight, would conventional view of Dance as naturalism not have persevered. sometimes amounting to a refusal, per I am speculating here. Maybe people Kingsley Amis, to ‘make things up’, but remember otherwise. ■

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Kaggsy’s Bookish Ramblings – 11 Books Do Furnish a Room by Anthony Powell Book blogger Karen Langley set herself the task of reading a book of Dance a month during 2013 and to write about the experience volume by volume on her weblog. Here are her reviews of volumes ten and eleven of Dance.

Well, what a fabulous title, to start with! fund “Fission”, and so the group feel This is the tenth book in the Dance to the obliged to attend, but Pamela Widmerpool Music of Time sequence, and I must say it (née Flitton) is in her usual contentious is one of the ones I’ve enjoyed most. form, and ends up being sick in a rare vase back at the house – which leads to a comic The story starts just after the end of WWII, scene of Nick and co trying to clean the with Nick demobbed and trying to take up vase without breaking it. normal life again. He revisits his old university to do some research on the I think one of the reasons I liked this book writer Robert Burton, and encounters an so much was because of the appearance of old friend in the form of Sillery, as well as a new character, the wonderfully-named meeting Ada Leintwardine, who will have novelist X Trapnel (apparently based on quite a major part in this volume. Ada is writer Julian MacLaren-Ross). If I recall notionally acting as Sillery’s secretary as correctly, Trapnel has been mentioned he prepares to publish his diaries, although before, though this is his debut proper. she has literary pretensions herself. In Trappy, as he is known, is a fabulous, fact, much of the book focuses on literature larger-than-life figure whose antics and publishing, as we are treated to the dominate much of the book, and he has a reappearance of one of my favourite rather dramatic effect on the lives of characters, Quiggin. He has set up a new several characters! He’s got strong publishing firm with Howard Craggs, opinions and is happy to have a go at naturally enough called Quiggin and anyone, in particular hapless book Craggs. The firm is also starting up a reviewers: literary magazine, with which Nick becomes involved, very topically entitled How everyone envies the rich quality of a reviewer’s life. All the things to “Fission”. Also involved is Ada, plus behind the scenes the firm is being which those Fleet Street Jesuses feel bankrolled by Rosie Manasch and superior. Their universal knowledge, exquisite taste, idyllic loves, happy Widmerpool. Add into the mix the fact that Lady Craggs is the former Gypsy married life, optimism, scholarship, Jones, and you have a recipe for quite a knowledge of the true meaning of life, freedom from sexual temptation, publishing operation with a lot of personal axes to grind! simplicity of heart, sympathy with the masses, compassion for the There is sadness too, as Nick’s brother-in- unfortunate, generosity – particularly law Erridge dies suddenly, and there is a the last, in welcoming with open arms spectacularly awkward funeral where the every phoney who appears on the Widmerpools, Quiggin and the Craggs horizon. It’s not surprising that in the appear noisily. Erridge had been going to eyes of most reviewers a mere writer’s

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experiences seem so often trivial, standpoint, who was a party-member, sordid, lacking in meaning. fellow-traveller, crypto, trotskyist, anarchist, anarcho-syndicalist, every The biggest effect he has is on that refinement of marxist theory, every unlikely couple, Kenneth and Pamela subtle distinction within groups. The Widmerpool. To be honest, you have to ebb and flow of subversive forces ask yourself what motivated either of them wafted the breath of life to him, even to marry the other in the first place; if he no longer believed in the however, putting that aside for a moment, beneficial qualities of that tide. Pamela the predatory female is once again on the hunt, and this time not only does I’m actually starting to find it hard to she captivate Trappy but she also leaves review these books, because I’m running Widmerpool for him! This is mildly out of superlatives! Certainly, this is one surprising, as she hasn’t left him yet of my favourites in the sequence so far (if despite having a succession of not the favourite – I can’t say till I’ve read relationships, and swapping comfort for them all). I found the portrait of literary the squalor he lives in doesn’t seem quite life in the late 1940s fascinating and her line. However, she doesn’t stay with entertaining, and the escapades of Pamela him for that long before stomping back to and Trappy were a hoot. The book Kenneth – but not before taking out her captures brilliantly the post-war anger on poor Trappy’s work … atmosphere of insecurity and austerity. The humour is lovely – Pamela’s Unsurprisingly, the “Fission” journal behaviour shocking and funny at the same collapses, and there is fall-out amongst the time. personnel. The book ends with Nick returning to his old school, scene of his X Trapnel is wonderfully portrayed, a first encounter with Widmerpool all those person always acting a part, driven by years (and books!) ago, to enrol his son. conflicting forces and desires: Here he runs into Le Bas, his old Trapnel wanted, among other things, housemaster, now old and acting as librarian. Despite the passage of time and to be a writer, a dandy, a lover, a the loss of many of Nick’s friends and comrade, an eccentric, a sage, a virtuoso, a good chap, a man of contacts during the war, some things are unchanging. honour, a hard case, a spendthrift, an opportunist, a raisonneur; to be very And the title? Not as you might expect a rich, to be very poor, to possess a hostess describing a lovely residence, or thousand mistresses, to win the heart indeed Trappy talking about some grubby of one love to whom he was ever lodgings! This is actually the nickname faithful, to be on the best of terms given to Bagshaw, an old acquaintance of with all men, to avenge savagely the Nick’s who is to be editor of “Fission”; the lightest affront, to live to a hundred nickname being given in one of two rather full of years and honour, to die young scurrilous scenarios! and unknown but recognized the following day as the most neglected Bagshaw was for ever fascinated by genius of the age. revolutionary techniques, always prepared to explain everybody’s

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I did wonder whether Powell was putting his own thoughts about writing into Trapnel’s mouth, as he goes on to express doubts about realism vs artistry in novels: There are certain forms of human mysterious and often dramatic marriage of behaviour no actor can really play, the Widmerpools; the vicissitudes of no matter how good he is. It’s the “Fission”; the eccentricities of Trappy; all same in life. Human beings aren’t this and much, much more made the book subtle enough to play their part. a real unputdownable. Roll on the next That’s where art comes in. Powell! On the subject of the dreaded Pamela First published at http:// comes my one reservation about the book. kaggsysbookishramblings.wordpress.com/2013/1 I haven’t really had an issue with Powell’s 1/30/recent-reads-books-do-furnish-a-room-by- portrayal of women up to this point in the anthony-powell/ on 30 November 2013 and reprinted with kind permission. ■ sequence, accepting that he is perhaps a little old-fashioned but not finding anything too objectionable. However, Pamela is portrayed as a real Praying Mantis – an angry man-eater who plays with the opposite sex; they fall at her feet left, right and centre and yet she is mostly indifferent. But at the end of the story, after she has ditched Trappy, he reveals the root of her problem, in quite crude terms – she is frigid, and the constant partner- Anthony Powell Resides Here changing is presumably being portrayed as a search for satisfaction (though I would CRAWFORD DOYLE BOOKSELLERS seeks and sells early editions of be more likely to suspect the cause as Anthony Powell’s works together with being insensitivity on the part of some of those of other distinguished British the men she associates with). I confess I authors such as Evelyn Waugh, PG found this somewhat clichéd, even Wodehouse, Virginia Woolf, Henry allowing for the stereotypes about women Green and James Lees-Milne. and sexuality which might have circulated In addition to rare books, we offer a in the past. And frankly, I think the deep complete collection of new books in psychological issues she has (displayed in our store near the Metropolitan Museum. Catalogs upon request. her violence towards Odo Stevens when she descends to physical aggression) can’t 1082 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10028 Open seven days per week just be explained away by the fact that sex Telephone: 212 289 2345 is failing her. She’s a lively and Email: [email protected] fascinating character and I found this Member, Antiquarian Booksellers’ attitude let me down a little. Association of America, Inc. However, putting this one item aside, Books was a fabulous read. The

14 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #55

Kaggsy’s Bookish Ramblings – 12 Temporary Kings by Anthony Powell

Yes, the end is in sight as I finally edge The action continues in Venice, with Nick towards the completion of my year-long visiting an old colleague, Tokenhouse, read of the Dance to the Music of Time who has moved from publishing to sequence. I’m still slightly behind but painting. Also in Venice is Ada determined to finish the last two books Leintwardine and initially Glober has before the end of December, and I’ve just designs on her, but soon turns his finished the penultimate book, Temporary attentions to Pamela. Mysteriously, Kings – a very intriguing volume indeed! Widmerpool turns up at Tokenhouse’s, looking for a Dr Belkin, who many people The action has flashed forward to the late seem to be trying to track down. Our 1950s and in typical Powellesque style we Kenneth is behaving even more strangely are thrown into a new situation with new than usual, though that could be as a result characters – namely a literary conference of being married to Pamela! There are in Venice which Nick is attending, and certainly complications brewing, with spending time with Dr Emily Brightman. Gwinnett initially pursuing Pamela, and However, it is not long before the tentacles then the roles reversing; Glober also of the past start to insinuate themselves pursuing her; and the presence in Venice of into the narrative of the present and we one of her old lovers, Odo Stevens who is learn much about the death of X Trapnel now married to Rosie Manasch. and the end of the days of “Fission”. Brightman introduces Nick to one of her The action shifts back to England, and the fellow Americans, a strange young man past is still informing the present. called Russell Gwinnett, who wants to “Books” Bagshaw is now living in write a biography of Trapnel and is happy domestic ‘bliss’ in a very dysfunctional to meet someone who knew him and can sounding household, which gets even more perhaps introduce him to other Trappy so when Gwinnett lodges with them for a contacts – particularly, of course, the while and Pamela is spotted naked there infamous Pamela Widmerpool. one night. Nick attends an army reunion and runs into old colleagues – he finds out Yes, it doesn’t take long for the terrible more about Stringham’s death, and there is twosome to rear their heads! Pamela has much discussion of the Widmerpool affair been linked to the death of a famous – it isn’t enough that Pamela has created a French author, Ferrand-Sénéschal, and in scandal by being present at Ferrand- fairly dubious-sounding circumstances. Sénéschal’s death, but now Widmerpool is And while the conference visits a local accused of spying and there are rumours of palace, the dreaded Lady Widmerpool his arrest. What a couple! turns up, in the company of an American film director, Louis Glober, known to Nick There is then a remarkable chapter centred from a party many, many years ago. around a charity concert party given by Kenneth soon turns up and the couple are Odo and Rosie Stevens, where the rowing again! orchestra is conducted by Moreland. Poor Hugh is in declining health, and this is not

15 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #55 helped by the shenanigans at the party. In interspersing with the present and so many attendance are a wide variety of characters dancing back in to the story, characters; Glober; Polly Duport, Jean’s which perhaps is a way of reflecting what daughter, who is now an actress; Mrs happens as you age and the various Erdleigh (however old must she be now!); elements of your life start to bleed into Jimmy Stripling, Audrey Maclintick and of each other and connections not noticed course the Widmerpools. Matilda before become clear. Donners, Moreland’s ex-wife is also TK is full of fascinating developments and present, and her (and Audrey’s) ex-lover there are several unanswered questions in Carolo appears as a stand-in violinist! But the book: who is the mysterious and Godot it is after the concert, as various attendees -like Dr Belkin, whom everybody is await for transport home, that the most waiting for but no-one (including dramatic scenes take place. Glober ends ourselves) ever meets? What exactly has up punching Widmerpool, Mrs Erdleigh Widmerpool been up to? What on earth gives Pamela various mystical warnings of motivates Pamela – is it just a lot of impending disaster and high emotions are unspecified deviance? I suppose this evident everywhere. The aftermath, in the reflects the fact that life is full of things final short chapter which covers that are never resolved. Moreland’s last months, is oblique, to say the least. It was lovely to see a little more of Isobel featuring in this book (albeit still TK was certainly some read! It’s packed fleetingly) and I wish that Powell had felt with characters and events, and in some able to develop her character a little more. ways I felt that Powell’s style had reverted There are poignant echoes of the war, and a little – from becoming clearer and a bit hints of the horrors of Japanese prisoner-of more transparent, he’s moved back into a -war camps from Cheeseman, when we denser and more elliptical way of telling learn a little more about the fate of his tale. Some things I’m still unsure Stringham: about and some things I had to go back and read over again. However, on to Cheeseman gave that answer specifics! perfectly composedly, but for a brief second, something scarcely Firstly, what a wonderful array of characters, old and new. Gwinnett is measurable in time, there shot, like fascinating – apparently descended from forked lightning, across his serious unornamental features that awful one of American’s founding fathers, awkward and difficult to deal with, yet look, common to those who speak of obviously driven by deep emotions – I that experience. I had seen it before. wonder whether he will reappear in the And then of course there are the final book or if this is all we will see of Widmerpools, that ghastly but fascinating him? Dr Brightman and Glober are also pair. We’ve watched Kenneth develop great fun, and it was lovely to see so many gradually from the first story, and it seems old favourites turning up – Audrey, that in TK his bull-headedness and Matilda, Moreland and especially the arrogance is finally catching up with him. wonderful Mrs Erdleigh. And how clever He’s over-reached himself, dabbling in of Powell to do this – the past espionage and a trial is narrowly averted.

16 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #55

His marriage to Pamela, based on goodness knows what, seems to be a sham, with both parties leading independent lives and Pamela leaving a trail of broken men behind her. Again, I wondered why they grips with their peculiarities and stayed together, but it is possible that idiosyncrasies, and end up with a real Nick’s ruminations on his father may shed sense of their personalities. But Pamela is some light on the matter: a mystery, and remains so to the end. There is much hinting and discussion of People put up surprisingly well with perversity and voyeurism – a running irascibility, some even finding in it a theme through the book, from the ceiling spice to life otherwise humdrum. in the palace to Magnus Donner’s old There is little evidence that the tendencies and possibly Widmerpool’s irascible, as a class, are friendless, current ones – but not enough depth or and my father’s bursts of temper may, motivation for my liking. I wanted to for certain acquaintances, have understand Pamela, to know what made added to the excitement of knowing her such an angry, bitter and damaged him. person, but I never felt I learned this. Perhaps Kenneth likes Pamela’s anger, or Powell is a writer of some subtlety, which maybe their marriage thrives on something means his work can sometimes be difficult more deviant. Their relationship is bizarre, and that he requires close reading, but I the events that surround them feel here that he is too oblique. unbelievable, but as Nick comments: If this sounds a little negative, it shouldn’t After passing the half-century, one – I was gripped by Powell’s narrative unavoidable conclusion is that many again, and the chapter where he gradually things seeming incredible on starting unfolds the post-party fall-out with its out are, in fact, by no means to be attendant revelations was masterly, like located in an area beyond belief. The watching a train wreck about to happen “Widmerpool Case” fell into that which you couldn’t stop. I loved the category. clever way he intertwined past and present, reflecting the way real life is. And the And here is a SPOILER ALERT – any Venice sequences were great fun – I know discussion of Pamela inevitably leads on to some people on the LT read-along weren’t her demise in the last chapter, which I so keen on Nick being away from shall have to try to read again to see what England, but I thought it was a hoot the it is I missed! Pamela overdoses in way that Nick couldn’t get away from his circumstances that are hinted at so past or his acquaintances even when he obscurely as to be almost indistinct. I was abroad! This was a great read, full of think she may have died in bed with marvellous events and set pieces, and I Gwinnett, but the motivation is clouded. If can’t wait for the final volume! I had a criticism to make, it would be that I ended this book (and the sequence of First published at http:// kaggsysbookishramblings.wordpress.com/2013/1 books which featured her) not really 2/20/recent-reads-temporary-kings-by-anthony- understanding her character. The others in powell/ on 20 December 2013 and reprinted with the book develop throughout, we get to kind permission. ■

17 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #55

Dates for Your Diary

NE USA Group Summer Saturday Stroll Summer Curry Luncheon Through Soho & Mayfair Saturday 28 June 2014 In the Footsteps of Milly Andriadis Weston, CT, USA and Charles Stringham Commemorate the 100th anniversary on Saturday 14 June 2014 this day of the luncheon in Dance where 1030 for 1100 hrs Billson, naked, gives notice and Uncle ** NOTE CHANGE OF ** Giles reports the death of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, signaling the start of ** VENUE ** WWI. Meet: Salisbury Pub The Mute with the Bowstring stood 90 St Martin’s Lane, London WC2 at the threshold of the door. (very close to Leicester Square Underground) Full details from, and RSVPs to, Eileen The walk will depart from the Salisbury Kaufman, [email protected], at 1100 hrs sharp. and Ed Bock, [email protected]. ■ The route, which is about 1 mile, will meander along Gerrard Street in Soho, London Group through St James’s and Mayfair, ending in Shepherd Market. Stonehurst Curry Lunch Once in Shepherd Market we will lunch Saturday 28 June 2014 at Da Corradi, a small, friendly, family- 1200 for 1230 hrs run Italian restaurant. Lunch is booked Malabar Junction for 1300 hrs. 107 Great Russell Street, London, WC1 No need to book for the walk, but if you In emulation of our American allies the wish to join the lunch party please let us London group will also commemorate know so we can book a group table. the opening chapter of The Kindly Ones and the start of the war to end all wars. There is no charge for the walk itself (although donations in the Secretary’s The Malabar Junction, which top hat will be welcomed) and lunch specialises in South Indian cuisine, is will be pay on the day. very close to the British Museum. Non members will be welcome. This is a pay on the day event but For further details and booking please please tell us if you intend to come so contact Ivan Hutnik, we can ensure a large enough table. [email protected], or the Hon. Non members will be welcome. Secretary (address, page 2). ■ For further details and booking contact the Hon. Secretary (address, page 2). ■

18 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #55

Dates for Your Diary

London Quarterly Pub Meets Annual General Meeting Saturday 9 August 2014 Notice is hereby given that the 14th Saturday 1 November 2014 Annual General Meeting of the The Audley Anthony Powell Society will be held 41-43 Mount Street, London W1 on Saturday 25 October 2014 at 1400 hrs in the Conference Room of 1230 to 1530 hrs St James’s Church, Piccadilly, Good beer, good pub food and informal London W1 conversation in a Victorian pub AP The formal AGM business will be would have known. Why not bring followed by refreshments and a talk something AP-related to interest us? Non-members always welcome. “Architecture in Dance” Further details from the Hon. Secretary.■ by Harry Mount Members only at the formal AGM; all Venice Conference welcome for the talk at about 1500 hrs 9-11 October 2014 ––– Nominations for four Trustee posts which See page 22 are vacant this year must reach the Hon. Secretary by Friday 8 August 2014. Candidates Why Not Advertise Here? must be proposed by two members, indicate their willingness to stand and provide a short *** biographical statement. Nominations will be Display Advert Rates accepted by email, post or fax. Full Page: £30 The elected Trustees must not be barred from ½ page or full column: £20 being trustees under English law and a majority of the Trustees must be ordinarily resident in ¼ page (½ column): £12 England and Wales. B&W artwork only Motions for discussion at the AGM must *** also reach the Hon. Secretary by Friday 8 Flyer Inserts August 2014. They must be clearly worded, £30 per A4 sheet proposed by at least two members and contain a statement in support of the motion which will £15 per A5 sheet be published to members. plus printing costs The AGM agenda and voting papers will be *** included with the Autumn Newsletter in early Small Ads September. Proxy votes must reach the Hon. Free to Society members Secretary by Monday 20 October 2014. ■ Others 10p/word, minimum £3 *** London AP Birthday Lunch Births, Deaths & Marriages Saturday 6 December 2014 Free to Society members 1200 for 1230 hrs Others 25p/word, minimum £5 Central London venue tbc ■

19 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #55

Society Notices

Welcome to New Members Local Group Contacts We extend a warm welcome to the London Group following new members: Area: London & SE England Beverly Bell, New York, USA Contact: Keith Marshall Andrew Constantine, Esher Email: [email protected] Barbara Dunlap, New York, USA Dominic Johnson, London New York & NE USA Group Mark Leclercq, London Area: New York & NE USA Contacts: Nick Birns Prof. Graham Parry, Leeds Email: [email protected] Richard Rosenbaum, Portland, USA Kenneth Rosenberger, Atlanta, USA Great Lakes Group Eileen Soderstrom, Chicago, USA Area: Chicago area, USA Alison Walker, Richmond Contact: Joanne Edmonds Andrew Way, Westgate ■ Email: [email protected] Nordic Group Area: Sweden & Finland Subscriptions Contact: Regina Rehbinder Email: [email protected] Subscriptions are due annually on Toronto Group 1 April (for rates see back page). Area: Toronto, Canada Reminders are sent during March to Contact: Joan Williams those whose membership is about to Email: [email protected] expire. Please contact the Hon. Secretary if you Anyone whose membership is wish to make contact with a group and expired will be removed from the don’t have email. If you wish to start a membership list at the end of June. local group the Hon. Secretary can advise on the number of members in your area. ■ As we will be using email wherever possible, please keep a look-out for emails from the Society. Contributions to the Newsletter and Subscriptions should be sent to the journal Secret Harmonies are always Hon. Secretary, address on page 2. ■ welcome and should be sent to: Newsletter & Journal Editor, Newsletter Copy Deadlines Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #56, Autumn 2014 76 Ennismore Avenue Copy Deadline: 11 August 2014 Greenford, UB6 0JW, UK Publication Date: 5 September 2014 [email protected] Newsletter #57, Summer 2014 We are always especially grateful for Copy Deadline: 7 November 2014 reports or notices of Powell-related Publication Date: 5 December 2014 events and relevant photographs. ■

20 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #55

Society Notices

SITUATIONS VACANT SITUATIONS VACANT The Society is looking to recruit a Independent Examiner volunteer for the following role: We require a volunteer of professional Membership Secretary standing as Independent Examiner for our accounts. A knowledge of finance is Responsibilities will include: essential but you do not have to be a • Manage the Society’s membership qualified accountant. register • Receive and account for subscription As this is a legally required role the you payments, and bank moneys will need to be based in the UK. • Correspond with members and Potential candidates should contact the potential members on membership Hon. Treasurer, Derek Miles, matters. [email protected]. ■ Candidates will have: • Ability to manage a PC-based SITUATIONS VACANT membership database • Ability to accurately account for all The Society is looking to recruit a incoming moneys volunteer for the following role: • Familiarity with MS Office

• Ability to deal with Society matters in Webmaster a timely way. Responsibilities will include: • Because of the necessity for access to Management and development of the UK banks, the successful candidate will Society’s website and online shop in need to be based in the UK. coordination with the Hon. Secretary and Merchandise Secretary. Potential candidates should contact the • Management and moderation of the Hon. Secretary. ■ APLIST email discussion list in coordination with the Hon. Secretary. Candidates will have: McTigger Book Search • Current webpage management skills Struggling to find AP volumes? • Ability to write clear, concise text for Why not ask us to hunt for you? online presentation Just tell us what you want and how much • Ability to be able to apply content you want to pay updates promptly when required. Terms: Cost + p&p + small fee This role is not geography-dependent Private sale; not associated with AP Soc. and the successful candidate could be Contact located anywhere in the world. Keith & Noreen Marshall Potential candidates should contact the [email protected] Hon. Secretary. ■

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Venice Conference Announcement Arrangements have now been finalised for the Venice event and bookings are being accepted Thursday 9 – Saturday 11 October 2014 Fondazione Giorgio Cini Isola di San Giorgio Maggiore

Fondazione Giorgio Cini

Programme - Friday and Saturday Two mornings of conference sessions with internationally recognized experts on Anthony Powell and his period. Tour of Fondazione Giorgio Cini, including the re-creation of Veronese’s Wedding at Cana. Visit to Palazzo Labia to see the Tiepolo frescoes, and the setting for the ‘Gyges and Candaules’ scene in Temporary Kings. Prosecco reception at Palazzo Labia. Conference dinner at Do Forni Restaurant. Two or three nights accommodation at Vittore Branca Centre, attached to and part of the Fondazione Giorgio Cini. Pricing – all above included • Members (single) €325 per person for 2 nights; €395 per person for 3 nights • Members (double) €305 per person for 2 nights; €365 per person for 3 nights • Extra nights accommodation may be arranged directly with the Study Centre (subject to availability) at €70 euros per person per night (single) or €60 euros per person per night (double). • Please note: delegates are responsible for their travel costs to, from and in Venice. Availability and Reservation • Bookings are limited to 60 people. • Double rooms subject to availability. • Please contact the Hon. Secretary (address on page 2) for the latest availability. We are looking forward to seeing you in Venice!

22 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #55

Local Group News

With Glass in Hand London Pub Meet, 10 May 2014 By Noreen Marshall

Thirteen of us from the London and SE article in them and was busy persuading England group met at The Audley on potential contributors; as an experienced Saturday 10 May, one of those typically writer, Stephen Holden is accustomed to British spring days of mixed weather – crafting articles on a wide variety of sunny, gusty and showery. We found that subjects, from animal husbandry to books the pub’s menu had become shorter and and fashion. plainer: more redolent of traditional pub We also talked of events, notably Venice; grub such as roast beef and pies, though as the next conference; Ivan’s forthcoming ever the fish and chips were the star item. wedding; and the 2014 Summer Walk (see The serving dishes (and portions) were page 18) which he has created, and which fashionably large while the tables remain he was off to try out in the rain afterwards. typically small, leading to much clinking A trip which Keith and Noreen had taken of elbows as well as glasses, and seating in down the River Thames from London to our favourite central alcove was a little Southend-on-Sea on the preserved paddle- cosy for all of us. steamer Waverley aroused a certain We also sampled a box of left-overs – amount of enthusiasm, too, so it may be some books which had not sold at the 2013 that a water-borne outing will find its way Conference Book Sale, that is – everything into the programme of future events. Food from early modern education to true life and wine, London elections, London crime. Other aspects of books and reading clubland and Welsh ancestry also featured under discussion included the short stories prominently in discussions. of Alan Bennett; children’s literature; Present: John Blaxter, Jill Chalmers, Geraint Anthony Powell’s Barnard Letters; fantasy Dearman, Stephen Holden, Ivan Hutnik, Clive crime novels; and loss of reading patience Gwatkin Jenkins, Keith & Noreen Marshall, as one gets older, in particular not reading Sandy Morrison, Prue Raper, Robert Tresman, to the end of a press article which is Alison & Stephen Walker. ■ unlikely to contain anything of real interest. As both the outgoing and the incoming Editors of the Newsletter were present (Stephen Holden observing that being called Stephen and having a beard was clearly a requirement), there was a good deal of talk about the Newsletter and writing in general. Stephen Walker is convinced that everyone has at least one PS Waverley 23 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #55

BOOK REVIEW Lisa Colletta British Novelists in Hollywood, 1935-1965: Travelers, Exiles, and Expats Palgrave Macmillan, 2013, $85.00 / £53.50, 201 pp. Reviewed by Jeffrey Manley

This is an academic study of how several required there or it was too cold on the British writers reacted to and assessed the East Coast. Dodie Smith, more playwright US film industry specifically, and than novelist, moved to the US in WWII Southern Californian culture (if that’s the because of her husband’s status as a right word) generally, during the years conscientious objector and would thus join straddling WWII. As the subtitle suggests, Isherwood and Wodehouse in the exile some were on short visits and others category. She eventually returned to the stayed on for more extended lengths of UK. time; some went voluntarily while others, Conspicuously absent is Jessica Mitford. out of necessity or perceived necessity. While she may not qualify as a novelist Those who made brief visits and then and lived in Oakland, not Los Angeles, she wrote about them include Anthony Powell, wrote extensively about the US funeral JB Priestley, John Fowles and Evelyn industry in much the same satiric vein as Waugh. Others who made more frequent Waugh. Also missing is Graham Greene, or extended visits or even settled in Los who visited Hollywood at least twice in Angeles include Aldous Huxley, connection with film productions of his Christopher Isherwood, PG Wodehouse work: in 1948 (The Third Man) and again and Dodie Smith. Except for Isherwood in 1952 (The End of the Affair) [Norman and Fowles, most had passed through or Sherry, The Life of Graham Greene, passed on well before 1965 when the Volume II: 1939-55, pp. 253-54, 442-43]. period under review closes. Greene also wrote about the US (or at least about Americans) as well as about Most of the book covers the period from American films, in at least one case, giving 1935 to 1950. The extension beyond the rise to a notorious libel case, as noted immediate post war period would appear below. designed to include some of Isherwood’s later works as well as Fowles, although the The first part of the book explains how latter’s experience is little mentioned. these writers applied British sensitivities to Powell’s visit took place in Summer 1937 such things as climate (all seem to notice and lasted about 2 months. Waugh’s visit the glare in Los Angeles), harsh landscape, was in February-March 1947 and may exotic vegetation, discordant architecture, have been a bit shorter than Powell’s. lack of any historical context and Isherwood’s tenure was the longest, and he confusion of a commercial product could fairly be said to have become a (motion pictures) with culture. Professor Californian. Wodehouse remained in the Colletta summarizes their assessment of USA until his death in 1975 but lived Hollywood as “there being no there there,” mostly on Long Island, apparently visiting borrowing Gertrude Stein’s description of Hollywood when his presence was her hometown of Oakland. Some of the

24 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #55 novelists went to work for the studios as scriptwriters: Isherwood, Huxley, Wodehouse and Dodie Smith. AP tried but failed to find such a job. Others (eg. Waugh) sought unsuccessfully to sell their work (Brideshead Revisited) to the studios or cooperated in translating their work (The Collector) into film (Fowles). Powell, along with Fowles and Dodie Smith, and unlike the others Colletta considers, wrote no book length treatment (fiction or non-fiction) of his travels in the US. AP gives us a chapter in his memoirs (Faces, Chapter III, “North Palm Drive”);** Fowles, a section of his novel Daniel Martin as well as entries in his journals; and Smith, some memoirs. Waugh wrote both a novella (The Loved One) and several articles, letters and diary entries about Hollywood; Huxley, the novel A fter Many a Summer Dies the Swan (1939); Isherwood, a novel (A Single Man) as well as diary entries, letters and articles; and Priestley, a travel book (Midnight on the Desert (1937)). Fitzgerald had largely ceased to possess by Wodehouse left a number of stories and the time Powell met with him. That novels involving Hollywood. These latter chapter also deals with the assessments by writers, not surprisingly, receive far more British writers of Charlie Chaplin. Here coverage than Powell, Fowles and Smith. they encountered not a shallow celebrity but a genius who had enjoyed a great deal Powell’s work is cited most frequently in of success. Although Colletta says [125] the early chapters that describe the that “nearly every British writer that went reactions of British writers to the film to Hollywood met [Chaplin],” Powell was industry and to the architecture, landscape one of the exceptions. Perhaps he wasn’t and population of Los Angeles. His deemed sufficiently important in 1937 for meeting with F Scott Fitzgerald is a VIP visit. But Powell did meet several mentioned twice, most prominently in the movie figures, notably including C Aubrey chapter on celebrity, which is something Smith, described by Colletta as “the prototype English gentleman of the Old School” [129] and the one who was ** If there is a paperback edition of Colletta’s parodied by Waugh in the character of Sir book, those page references in the endnotes citing Ambrose Abercrombie in The Loved One. volume 2 of Powell’s memoirs (Messengers) should cite volume 3 (Faces) which is where the Another film genius who emerged in this corresponding quoted material appears. The period but who gets less attention in this pages and quotations are correct, but the wrong book is Walt Disney. It tends to be volume seems to have been inadvertently cited. 25 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #55 forgotten that before the to her in a review by Graham Greene of “Disneylandization” of his reputation, the film Wee Willie Winkie. Disney pioneered high-quality, original The concluding chapter describes what animated feature films, beginning with Prof. Colletta calls “British Hollywood Snow White. He did this without the Fiction”. This is based primarily on the apparent support of the major studios and fictional writings of Waugh, Huxley and struggled financially with projects that Wodehouse, with brief look-ins from were extremely costly, time-consuming Fowles and Isherwood. Powell never and slow to return the large investments wrote a “Hollywood novel” but did that were necessary. Powell doesn’t include a character in his last two Dance mention meeting with Disney, but Waugh novels who had a Hollywood filmmaking describes in his Diaries (675) a visit to the career – Lewis Glober; and both Polly Disney studios in 1947 and he pays Duport and Mona Templer had aspirations homage to both Disney and Chaplin as to film stardom. Nick Jenkins and Chips “the two artists of the place”. Waugh, on Lovell both worked at the British the other hand, missed out on an subsidiary of a Hollywood studio (as did opportunity to meet Fitzgerald who had AP) and there are several scenes in which died 6 years before his visit. they discuss filmmaking with their fellow While he was in Hollywood, Powell wrote employees. Powell’s fictional works two articles for the London periodical might, therefore, have qualified for a brief Night and Day in a column entitled “A mention of the sort accorded to Daniel Reporter in Hollywood”. This gig was Martin and A Single Man. arranged by Graham Greene who was one of the editors. The article mentioned in this book [129-30] is Powell’s report on the screening of a film about the Spanish Civil War at which Ernest Hemingway (who had contributed to the script of the film) gave a talk. The other was a report of a Negro stage production of Macbeth at the Mayan Theater. This was sponsored by the Federal Theater Project, a New Deal agency [see also John Powell n Secret Harmonies # 4/5, 67]. These articles are both reproduced in Christopher Hawtree’s edition of collected material from the magazine published in 1985. Powell also mentions meeting the child film star Shirley Temple who contributed to the demise of Night and Day a few months after Powell’s visit when her studio, 20th Century Fox, sued the magazine for allegedly libelous references

26 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #55

The book is well written and thoroughly much in the tradition of Powell and researched. Powell’s brief Hollywood Waugh): sojourn is accurately depicted and fairly placed into appropriate contexts. I read One day the whole world was going to look like Los Angeles, he decided, the book in three or four sittings and, when I got to the end, I was wishing for more. not a city or the absence of a city, but An epilogue summarizing what happened ruined countryside, with houses to the British Hollywood novel after 1965 squeezed between highways which never tired of whispering the lie that would have made interesting reading. Or better yet, a sequel covering the years it was more interesting to go 1966 to the present, if that’s not too much somewhere than be here. The entire westward move of American history to hope for. One would like very much to hear what Prof. Colletta has to say, for seemed to have piled up on the beach, example, about Martin Amis’s 1981 novel and the descendants of wagon-crazed pioneers, refusing to accept Money. It is mostly set in New York and London but the plot (to the extent there is completely the restraint of the world’s one) revolves around the financing of a widest ocean, frantically patrolled the edge of the West, like lemmings in movie to be produced in Hollywood by the narrator, John Self. The movie industry therapy. [Idem, 77-78; see also Newsletter 47, had remade itself by the time Amis writes, Summer 2012] and the studios’ domination had ended. Moreover, Amis was keenly aware of his The book is well produced and printed. countrymen’s reactions to Hollywood’s But the number of typographical errors is earlier iteration. This is demonstrated, if unacceptable for a book of this quality and by nothing else, by the appearance in price. As happens all too often, the Money of a character named Juanita del proofing seems to have done by a Pablo, a pornographic film starlet. A computer spell-check program that can character with the same name features in spot misspellings and, in some cases, Waugh’s The Loved One as a film star faulty grammar but not missing or misused who must be physically remade to fit the words. To take just one example, on one needs of the studio. page there is a reference to an Eaton Ramblers tie while, in a later reference, the Some useful mention might also be made tie is referred to correctly as that of the of the recent BBC/Showtime TV series Eton Ramblers. A computer will not Episodes (2011-13), a satiric comedy necessarily catch that type of error, primarily devoted to showing how two whereas a competent proofreader would successful British TV film writers react to have. At the price charged for a book of and are affected by present-day this type and complexity, the publisher Hollywood. An epilogue or sequel could should have splashed out for a professional appropriately be brought to a conclusion proofreader, and not to have done so is with this description of Los Angeles from unfair to the reader as well as to the author, On the Edge, a 1999 novel about whose careful research and drafting is California’s consciousness expansion everywhere evident. industry by British writer Edward St Aubyn (whose satirical novels are very Lisa Colletta will be speaking at the Venice Conference in October. ■

27 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #55

Letters to the Editor

Sir William Burrell

From Mr Colin Donald And the AP connection? Burrell spent a th A quietly sensational new book has large part of his later life restoring the 15 prompted me to speculate on how much century Hutton Castle in Berwickshire as AP was aware of the life and career of the the showcase of his amassed treasures. To Glasgow ship owner and art collector Sir me, its essentially artificial nature (he fell William Burrell (1861-1958). out with the restoring architect Robert Lorimer about this) and tapestry-bedecked Visitors to Glasgow will know of the rooms qualifies it as a possible inspiration Burrell Collection, located in a fabulous for Sir Magnus Donners’ “cardboard” modern building in Pollok Country Park castle Stourwater. on the outskirts of the city, one of Britain’s great museums. It displays the More precisely, there is also the fact that Burrell liked to tease his guests by making extraordinary 8000-piece collection, th ranging from ancient Chinese ceramics, to them sit in a 16 century English medieval tapestries, to northern European “imprisoning chair” as part of their tour. wood carvings, to 16th century English Although the book does not otherwise hint furniture, to paintings by Boudin, Corot at exotic predilections on the part of this and Degas. real-life “great industrialist”, could it be that reports of Hutton dinner parties might Sue Stephen’s Collector’s Daughter – The have filtered back to AP? Untold Burrell Story (Glasgow Museums, 2014) is a fascinating account of the life of Keith Marshall has kindly unearthed a Sir William’s only child Marion Burrell, passing reference in AP’s memoirs to godmother of the author. Patrick Balfour, a Balliol contemporary in the circle of Cyril Connolly, later a The book charts for the first time the journalist and friend of Evelyn Waugh Burrells’ bizarre dysfunctional family life, according to Michael Barber. It does seem suggesting that this British Frick or Hearst more than possible that Powell would have was a tyrannical father, with a known the story of the abrupt end of the hypochondriac sex-averse wife whose (homosexual) Balfour’s engagement to a enduring jealous dislike of their daughter wealthy heiress, and if he did, he would he appears to have indulged. have known of Burrell himself. Intensely ambitious socially as well as Incidentally, Sue Stephen explains that supremely wealthy, between them they Burrell called off the wedding having blighted Marion’s life by keeping her in discovered Balfour’s proclivities having poverty and seeing off a succession of had him checked out by a private detective suitors and fiancés. In the case of one of after hearing (accurate) rumours of his them, Hon. Patrick Balfour, later Lord indebtedness. She makes that point that Kinross, they did this by putting an advert most fathers (especially Victorian-born in the Times announcing that the wedding ones) would have discouraged or even was off, to the surprise of the happy disallowed the match, but it was typical of couple. Burrell to spring it as a surprise. ■ 28 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #55

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James Tucker writes to us on 5 April James Tucker writes again on 15 reporting a review in Private Eye: April: Review of The Days of Anna Madrigal What’s Become of Waring is by Maupin says it’s odd that two mentioned in Private Eye’s unfriendly novelists who give us the roman fleuve review of Lost for Words by Edward St are or were fussy about pronunciation Aubyn (are there ever any friendly of their surnames, AP famously ‘Pole reviews in PI?). The writer says that not Powell’ and, apparently, Maupin, an “elegant little novel” dealing, like ‘More-Pin not Moe-Pan’. The What’s Become of Waring, with resemblance doesn’t stretch to style, “book-trade romps” was part of a though. Maupin has a description of tradition “sometimes extending to a tarpaulin ‘bulging scrotally’ over outright farce” which no longer some items; not a Dance sort of works very well. ■ phrase. ■

With DJ Taylor at the Emirates Festival of Literature in Dubai, James Kidd talks to him about writing and talking about books in The National, 6 March 2014. Inter alia Taylor says: I believe there’s a literary festival going on every week somewhere in England, let alone abroad. It has become a kind of spectator sport in a way that it didn’t used to be. I find it very amusing to imagine what would have happened 50 years ago if a publicity girl had rung up Evelyn Waugh or Anthony Powell and asked them to read at a festival. Anthony Powell wouldn’t even sign a book for anyone he hadn’t met. ■

Sorceresses, more than most, are safer allowed their professional amour propre. Sir William Burrell Anthony Powell, Temporary Kings (see Colin Donald’s letter opposite) 29 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #55

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DJ Taylor writes in the Guardian on Jeff Manley writes to us: 10 May 2014 about what happens to The Daily Telegraph on 15 April authors’ literary reputations after their published a list of what it claims are death. And the Society comes in for the “Top 20 British Novels of All an unexpected appreciative mention Time”. The title was later amended and link to the website: to include Irish novels as well after The fate of Leonard, Lytton and reams of protests for ignoring the Virginia [the “Bloomsberries”] nationality of writers such as James suggests that the real desideratum, Joyce, Flann O’Brien and John when it comes to reserving your place Banville. Dance (all volumes) is in the pantheon, is an influential among those selected. Here’s what sponsor to plead your case. they had to say: Sometimes this can be an energetic “A fantastically ambitious and literary pressure group – Anthony panoramic sequence detailing the Powell’s reputation is kept green by lives and loves of various interlocking the Anthony Powell Society, which mostly upper middleclass characters organises conferences and lobbies for across the 20th century, it continues to reissues; more often, a small but draw in fresh enthusiasts.” committed band of enthusiasts, quite often admiring fellow writers, labours Fair enough for a one sentence to keep the work in print. If summary. There is no explanation of the rackety Soho boulevardier Julian the selection criteria which is to say Maclaren-Ross (1912-1964) or the the least somewhat eccentric. It novelist-cum-playwright Patrick excludes writers such as Evelyn Hamilton (1904-1962) still survive it Waugh, Graham Greene and Kingsley is because there are enough well- Amis while including Zadie Smith, placed fans eager to write prefaces to Hilary Mantel and John Banville. new editions and celebrate their Martin Amis’s Money is among the publication with rapt encomia. also rans but Lucky Jim is a no show. Occasionally these lobbying ■ campaigns can produce spectacular results. Spotted by Bill Denton. ■

Zadie Smith, included in the Daily Telegraph list of top 20 British novelists 30 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #55

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Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury

James Collins writes the “Private Lives” column in the New York Times on Sunday 16 March 2014 under the title “Let Me Count the Days”: Nothing says mortality like the realization that you won’t live long enough to use up your office supplies … How many of my books have I already read? That’s a delicate subject. I Writing in the Guardian of 18 April hold that by simply owning a book I 2014 about the new Archbishop of deserve about 90 percent of the credit Canterbury, Justin Welby, Andrew I would get if I also read it, but not Brown concludes with a surprising everyone looks at things that way. I comparison with Dance: am a little shocked to discover that on This mild man is oddly reminiscent of any given shelf, I seem to have read, General Conyers, a character created according to the conventional by the rather more conventional standard, only about one-third of the Etonian Anthony Powell: “He was a books. man who gave the impression, rightly That leaves around 3,300 unread or wrongly, that he would stop at books … If I read two books a month, nothing. If he decided to kill you, he it would take me 137 years to read would kill you; if he thought it those unread books. So there we have sufficient to knock you down, he it: absent the discovery that those would knock you down: if a mere long-lived, underfed mice thrive reprimand was all required, he would equally well on a diet of vodka and confine himself to a reprimand. In peanut M&Ms, I am not going to live addition to this, he patently for 137 more years, and therefore I do maintained a good-humoured, well- not have enough time left to read the mannered awareness of the inherent books I own. Death will intervene failings of human nature: the ultimate (thank God) well before I get around futility of all human effort.” to the later volumes of A Dance to the Spotted by Michael Barber and Julian Music of Time. Miller. ■ Spotted by Jonathan Kooperstein. ■

31 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #55

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Once more AP gets a mention in the À la “Good-night, Guy … good-night, Blague weblog on 24 April, http:// Stephen … good-night, John … good- alablague.wordpress.com/2014/04/26/ night, Ronnie … good-night, George.” alan/. The author is writing a memoir ‘Exactly,’ said Stringham, “good-night, obituary for his friend Alan: Eddie … good-night, Simon … good- He made me read Anthony Powell’s A night, Robin …” and so on and so forth Dance to the Music of Time, which has until they had all said good-night to each also absorbed more of my attention over other collectively and individually, and the years than any novel should. I’ll shuffled off together, arm-in-arm.” read one his other novels first, I said; “You were at an all-boys’ public school. they’re shorter. But he insisted, and I am Did they do that? My school was co-ed. eternally glad that he did. As it turned It may well have been different.” out he had an ulterior motive. He was fascinated by the scene in the first “No,” I said. volume, A Question of Upbringing, where the members of the Cricket XI at I introduced Dance, as we Powellites (effectively) Eton say good night to each call it, in turn to my father. He died other one by one: before he could read the last three volumes, but he bought and read The “… there was the usual business of Military Philosophers before I did. He “Good-night, Bill, good-night –” rang me up. ‘Extraordinary things happen at the end,’ he said. ‘I won’t spoil it for you.’ ■

In Herald Scotland on 1 March 2014, passant several that he has in the Alan Taylor writes that “Fiction within pipeline: A Stockbroker In Sandals, Slow fiction is a library in itself”: on the Feather, Moss off a Rolling Stone … One of the key characters in Books Browsing through my book shelves I Do Furnish A Room is the novelist X alighted on Anthony Powell’s roman Trapnel, who was based on Julian fleuve Dance To The Music of Time and Maclaren-Ross … Trapnel is the author the volume entitled Books Do Furnish a of Camel Ride to the Tomb which, we are Room. Like his creator, Powell’s told, “had all the marks of having been narrator, Nicholas Jenkins, is a novelist written by a man who found difficulty in who, taking a breather from writing getting on with the rest of the world.” fiction, is working on a book about This sounds very much like Maclaren- Richard Burton, author of The Anatomy Ross to whom Powell devoted several of Melancholy. To make ends meet, pages in his memoirs . ■ Jenkins reviews books, mentioning en

32 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #55

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In the TLS, 14 March 2014, Lachlan DJ Taylor, this time in the MacKinnon reviews Tarantula’s Web: Independent on 16 February 2014, John Hayward, TS Eliot and their writes about the relentless rise of long Circle by John Smart: -distance commuting. I think John Smart’s purpose in London used to be populated by its introducing Great-uncle Abraham is workers. Not any more. The number to suggest that Hayward’s less of people travelling long distances to likeable side was an effect of rude work is rising as relentlessly as the health rather than disability; that capital’s house prices … Hayward was courageous in dealing The first chapters of practically every with illness is the overwhelming literary autobiography set in the early testimony of those who knew him. years of the 20th century reveal just Indeed, Hayward arouses pity at only how (relatively) easy it was to both one moment, and that is in his work in central London and to live dealings with TS Eliot. Hayward was somewhere within walking distance. an undergraduate when he first met … The twentysomething Anthony the poet; by 1928 he was reviewing Powell, employed at a publishers in for the Criterion. In 1933 Hayward Covent Garden, was able to live in moved into a flat in Bina Gardens, Mayfair. This kind of existence would South Kensington, where he be impossible now. Powell, on his entertained on a remarkable scale. publisher’s salary, would either find Among the guests Smart lists we find himself sharing a house with five Auden, Anthony Powell, Lady Ottoline other people in somewhere like Morrell, James Thurber, Arthur Clapham or having to resort to some Waley, the Marx Brothers, Virginia impossibly far-off suburb. ■ Woolf, Larry Adler, Dilys Powell, William Empson, the Duchesse de la Rochefoucauld and Bruce Richmond, then Editor of this paper. “Je n’oublierai jamais Bina Gardens”, Paul Valéry told Cyril Connolly. Most important, though, were the Sunday evenings principally devoted to three guests, Sir Geoffrey Faber, Frank Morley and Eliot, three directors of the recently established firm of Faber & Faber. Spotted by Jeanne Reed. ■

33 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #55

Society Merchandise

SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS OTHER PUBLICATIONS 2011 Conference Proceedings. Violet Powell; A Stone in the Shade. Collected papers from sixth biennial Fourth & final volume of Lady Violet’s conference at the Naval & Military Club, autobiography covering mostly the 1960s. London. Includes many of Lady Violet’s coloured UK: £8, Overseas: £14 travel sketches. Hardback. Jeff Manley et al.; Dance Music. UK: £24, Overseas: £29 150-page guide to the musical references The Acceptance of Absurdity: Anthony in Dance; compiled in the style of Powell – Robert Vanderbilt Letters 1952 Spurling’s Handbook. -1963; John Saumarez Smith & Jonathan UK: £7, Overseas: £10.50 Kooperstein (editors); 2011. Centenary Conference Proceedings. Fascinating letters between Powell and his Collected papers from the (third, 2005) friend and first American publisher Robert centenary conference at The Wallace Vanderbilt. Collection, London. Paperback: UK £16, Overseas £19.50 UK: £11, Overseas: £17 Hardback: UK £26, Overseas £32 Oxford Conference Proceedings. Anthony Powell, Caledonia, A Collected papers from the second (2003) Fragment. The 2011 Greville Press conference at Balliol College, Oxford. reprint of this rare Powell spoof. Now UK: £7, Overseas: £13 publicly available in its own right for the first time. Eton 2001 Conference Proceedings. UK: £8, Overseas: £10.50 Papers from the first (2001) conference. Copies signed by the Society’s Patron. John Gould; Dance Class. UK: £6.50, Overseas: £10.50 American High School student essays from John’s two teachings of Dance at Writing about Anthony Powell. Philips Academy. Many fresh and Talks given at the 2004 AGM by George perceptive insights. Lilley, Michael Barber and Nick Birns; UK: £12, Overseas: £17 introduced by Christine Berberich. UK: £4, Overseas: £7 JOURNAL & NEWSLETTER The Master and The Congressman. Secret Harmonies: Journal of the 40-page monograph by John Monagan Anthony Powell Society. Back numbers describing his meetings with Powell. of issues 1 to 4/5 available. UK: £4, Overseas: £7 UK: £5.50, Overseas: £9 each Newsletter Centenary Issue. 120-page celebratory Centenary Newsletter (issue 21; December 2005). UK: £5.50, Overseas: £9

Society Merchandise

34 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #55

Society Merchandise

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