John Betjeman: New Fame, New Love - Softcover

Bevis Hillier has devoted more than twenty-five years to writing Betjeman's life, a task entrusted to him by the poet himself. Like Betjeman he was educated at Magdalen College, Oxford. Later he joined the Times, became editor of The Connoisseur and a columnist on the Los Angeles Times, as well as writing for many other papers and journals. He edited Betjeman's 'Uncollected Poems' (now included in 'Collected Poems'), compiled 'John Betjeman: A Life in Pictures' and is the author of 'Young Betjeman'. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and the Royal Society of Literature. He lives in Hampshire.

'The book is crammed with very funny stories, but Hillier never loses sight of the doubts and insecurities that assailed Betjeman and made him a far more complex man than his public persona suggested.' Peter Parker, Daily Telegraph 'A classic in the making, with every page evocative of Betjeman's wistful humour. It is a book to be read slowly for fear of coming too fast to the end.' Jad Adams, Guardian 'There was a wealth of feeling and imagination in his life, and in Hillier's account it is getting the record it deserves.' John Gross, Sunday Telegraph 'Hillier has an insatiable, higgledy-piggledy appetite for the humorous and eccentric.' Craig Brown, Mail on Sunday " Fine and revealing biography" -- THE TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT 20030411