Letters

by J.R. Ackerley

Comprehensive collection of marvelous letters by the longtime editor of "The Listener," the BBC magazine.

390 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

Joe Randolph "J. R." Ackerley was a British writer and editor. Starting with the BBC the year after its founding in 1927, he was promoted to literary editor of The Listener, its weekly magazine, where he served for more than two decades.

He published many emerging poets and writers who became influential in Great Britain. He was openly gay, a rarity in his time when homosexuality was forbidden by law and socially ostracized.

Reviews

[Vincent Hernot · Rating 4 out of 5]

You'll find in here the tone - the wonderful voice - of the Ackerley of Hindoo Holidays, and of his memoir on his father.
They're also great at giving a hint about his work (literary editor), of the way things were handled between editor and author, of his artistic integrity, and of his own, internal, life.
Towards the end of the book are a few texts on his obsession (animal's welfare; his dogs) which are, to me, less interesting, especially in terms of style.
The rest of a treat.

[Hugh Coverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has held up over 50 years.