Lyttelton Hart-Davies Letters, 1955-1962

Entertaining correspondence between publisher and literary biographer, Rupert Hart-Davis, and his old Eton English master, George Lyttelton. This is a selection of letters between the two men from the originally published six volumes in the 1970s. At that time, the correspondence was hailed as a great civilized work, but this was probably heaping too much praise on it. The work was later spoofed in Craig Brown's Marsh Marlowe Letters. Many of the letters contain interesting comments on writers which reflected their great love of literature. The letters also contain gossip about friends and comments about famous figures. This was an enjoyable read, but it is recommended that the letters be "dipped" into periodically rather than reading them straight through.

Culled from the six famous volumes, this selection is superbly edited and wonderfully engaging. It would be the ideal bedside book were the correspondence not so addictive. I couldn't resist taking it up to fill any free moment. One could do far worse than eavesdrop on this charming friendship. In fact, to read even just this selection is to form a lasting friendship with the correspondents--who will recommend many worthwhile reads.Warning: I expect that, like me, you will be compelled to purchase the original volumes (available with slight difficulty from Academy Chicago Publishers). In all, a delicious read.