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Elizabeth and Ivy
Elizabeth and Ivy is the fascinating memoir and collection of letters from Robert Liddell. Liddell met both Ivy Compton-Burnett and Elizabeth Taylor (the writer) only several times: nevertheless a close, three-way friendship developed which is absorbingly chronicled here. Introduced by Francis King.
- GenresNonfiction
200 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
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About the author
Robert Liddell
65 books3 followersEnglish literary critic, biographer, novelist, travel writer and poet.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 10, 2021
Well now I have to go read some of his books too…
May 5, 2023
Robert Liddel's account of his friendship with Ivy Compton-Burnett and Elizabeth Taylor, told largely through their letters.
I've read all of Elizabeth Taylor's novels, which is just as well because there are spoilers spread liberally throughout this book. I have only read one of Ivy Compton-Burnett's books and that, I felt, was quite enough. In this she comes across as a very interesting character, and I would like to read her biography, and perhaps another of her novels.
I've read all of Elizabeth Taylor's novels, which is just as well because there are spoilers spread liberally throughout this book. I have only read one of Ivy Compton-Burnett's books and that, I felt, was quite enough. In this she comes across as a very interesting character, and I would like to read her biography, and perhaps another of her novels.
July 10, 2024
I can’t quite remember how I first came across this book or who recommended it to me, but it must have been during a conversation about Elizabeth Taylor, a writer whose work I adore. Anyway, whoever it was, I’m very grateful for the tip!
The British writer and literary critic Robert Lidell describes Elizabeth and Ivy as an attempt to ‘give some account of my friendship with two distinguished writers, and of their friendship with each other’ – namely, Elizabeth Taylor and Ivy Compton-Burnett. (The title is a nod to Kay Dick’s book Ivy and Stevie about Ivy Compton-Burnett and Stevie Smith.) It’s a short, engaging book, unfolding as a series of reflections augmented with snippets from letters Robert received from Elizabeth Taylor describing her interactions with Ivy C-B. Moreover, there are also some interesting musings on Elizabeth’s and Ivy’s books here, which are fascinating to read.
Robert’s friendship with Elizabeth started in the autumn of 1948 when the latter wrote to Robert, complementing him on his novel, The Last Enchantments. Also enclosed was a copy of Elizabeth’s most recently published book, A View of the Harbour, an affectionate gesture from one writer to another. Robert duly read and enjoyed Harbour – in fact, he had already admired Elizabeth’s first novel, At Mrs Lippincote’s, which had been passed on to him by his aunt, a woman of great taste, who thought the book ‘remarkably intelligent’. Thus began a long sequence of correspondence between Elizabeth and Robert, although it was several years before they were able to meet in person.
While many of the letters Robert received from Elizabeth were destroyed at the latter’s request (mostly because she didn’t want anything to remain that might hurt her friends), some of the more literary-focused letters survived; and it is these documents that Robert references in the book. (I should mention here that Robert also knew Ivy personally, but when he moved abroad in 1947 following his brother’s death, their meetings came to an end. Hence, Robert’s primary source of news about Ivy from the late ‘40s onwards seems to have been Elizabeth’s letters.)
I’ve yet to read anything by Ivy Compton-Burnett – A House and Its Head is sitting in my TBR. Nevertheless, I understand she is something of an acquired taste – brilliant, cutting and highly individualistic, someone who doesn’t suffer fools gladly. In some respects, this impression is reinforced here, particularly through Elizabeth’s observations on being invited to Ivy’s house for lunch.
The same food of course – the boiled bacon and parsley sauce and the white pudding. She [Ivy] carved up Muriel Spark and Iris Murdoch at the same time as the bacon. Marriage and religion were discussed and deplored. I felt guilty to be married and to have stayed married so long, and was all almost thankful not to be religious. Rose Macaulay has never been forgiven. (p. 93)
To read the rest of my review, please visit:
https://jacquiwine.wordpress.com/2024...
The British writer and literary critic Robert Lidell describes Elizabeth and Ivy as an attempt to ‘give some account of my friendship with two distinguished writers, and of their friendship with each other’ – namely, Elizabeth Taylor and Ivy Compton-Burnett. (The title is a nod to Kay Dick’s book Ivy and Stevie about Ivy Compton-Burnett and Stevie Smith.) It’s a short, engaging book, unfolding as a series of reflections augmented with snippets from letters Robert received from Elizabeth Taylor describing her interactions with Ivy C-B. Moreover, there are also some interesting musings on Elizabeth’s and Ivy’s books here, which are fascinating to read.
Robert’s friendship with Elizabeth started in the autumn of 1948 when the latter wrote to Robert, complementing him on his novel, The Last Enchantments. Also enclosed was a copy of Elizabeth’s most recently published book, A View of the Harbour, an affectionate gesture from one writer to another. Robert duly read and enjoyed Harbour – in fact, he had already admired Elizabeth’s first novel, At Mrs Lippincote’s, which had been passed on to him by his aunt, a woman of great taste, who thought the book ‘remarkably intelligent’. Thus began a long sequence of correspondence between Elizabeth and Robert, although it was several years before they were able to meet in person.
While many of the letters Robert received from Elizabeth were destroyed at the latter’s request (mostly because she didn’t want anything to remain that might hurt her friends), some of the more literary-focused letters survived; and it is these documents that Robert references in the book. (I should mention here that Robert also knew Ivy personally, but when he moved abroad in 1947 following his brother’s death, their meetings came to an end. Hence, Robert’s primary source of news about Ivy from the late ‘40s onwards seems to have been Elizabeth’s letters.)
I’ve yet to read anything by Ivy Compton-Burnett – A House and Its Head is sitting in my TBR. Nevertheless, I understand she is something of an acquired taste – brilliant, cutting and highly individualistic, someone who doesn’t suffer fools gladly. In some respects, this impression is reinforced here, particularly through Elizabeth’s observations on being invited to Ivy’s house for lunch.
The same food of course – the boiled bacon and parsley sauce and the white pudding. She [Ivy] carved up Muriel Spark and Iris Murdoch at the same time as the bacon. Marriage and religion were discussed and deplored. I felt guilty to be married and to have stayed married so long, and was all almost thankful not to be religious. Rose Macaulay has never been forgiven. (p. 93)
To read the rest of my review, please visit:
https://jacquiwine.wordpress.com/2024...
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews