FLANNELED FOOL

by T.C. Worsley

A Slice of a Life in the Thirties

This is the self-portrait of a case of arrested development, and of the ill-effects of that 'innocence' which used to be highly prized in the young. Where did this innocence come from? From a mother who identified herself with suffering Jesus? From a father whose story is so improbable that fiction could hardly make him credible? From the games-orientated education of the period?

It was as an assistant master at a well-known Public School that the author began to substitute for the passion for games which had dominated his boyhood an interest in the intellectual and political life of the times. This brought him into violent conflict with the forces of reaction which at that time dominated the school.

This is not just the usual anti-public school tract, however, and it deals with many other things besides school life. The author was on the edge of the Cambridge cricket XI; he went to Spain and wrote a memorable book about the Civil War; he served in the RAF; and he became Literary Editor of the New Statesman. These experiences all form part of his story.

The portraits of the participants and the anecdotes which develop the action in all these instances are funny as well as sharp; and the whole makes a very frank and truthful picture of growing up on the thirties.

Genres: British Literature, Coming Of Age, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1967

Reviews

[Nicolas Chinardet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable and light-hearted memoir of the educational years of a slightly gormless young man, product the English upper-middle class at the beginning of the 20th century. The writing is pleasant although it could be a little more polished at time, since there are few of those "slipshod phrases" the author denounces towards the end. As a real life, almost as absurd version of Waugh's Decline and Fall, Flannelled Fool compares very honourably to its more famous cousin.

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is one of the great memoirs of the pre WWII world (one that I have read more then once) and also a splendidly frank and honest account of buggery in public schools back in the days before it was supposed to exist - the anecdote of Mr. Worsley being earnestly lectured by Kurt Hahn, the creator of Gordonston School and much trumpeted educationalist, about how there was no naughty stuff going on his schools because of the healthy outdoor life the school encouraged, while all the time the school 'tart' was cruising him has to be read to be believed in all its salacious wonder. An author and book that is unfortunately not read or remembered as he should be. Do yourself a favor and dig it out.

[John Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Autobiographical. The author was the son of Dean Worsley of Llandaff, defrocked for his extra marital affairs. These were I believe heterosexual ones whereas Worsley junior, albeit a late developer, was homosexual.

Largely set in the 1930s in and around public schools. Interesting and fairly clearly written though TCW confused and irritated me a little as he jumped from one subject and period to another with little warning.

[Joshua Askew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable and candid biographical expose of England's philistine and brain dead sports culture and its promulgation in the public school system of the 1930s. Also an exploration of the protagonist's realisation and acceptance of his own homosexuality. Sports culture is not real culture.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit of a memoir!