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William Plomer: A Biography
William Plomer (1903-73) was a novelist and literary figure of reputation, author of the powerful novel of miscegenation Turbott Wolfe , founder of the magazine Voorslag , principal reader for the Publisher Jonathan Cape, and a homosexual. Here, Alexander paints a fascinating portrait of this
man, from his beginnings in turn-of-the-century South Africa to his rise to literary and publishing prominence in England in the 1930s and 40s. Dealing frankly with all areas of Plomer's private and professional life and the central role his homosexuality played in them, this book looks at his
success at bringing such authors as Vladimir Nabokov and Ian Fleming to prominence, his work as editor of Francis Kilvert's diaries, his librettos for several of Benjamin Britten's operas, including Gloriana , and his other literary works, which include five novels and ten volumes of verse.
man, from his beginnings in turn-of-the-century South Africa to his rise to literary and publishing prominence in England in the 1930s and 40s. Dealing frankly with all areas of Plomer's private and professional life and the central role his homosexuality played in them, this book looks at his
success at bringing such authors as Vladimir Nabokov and Ian Fleming to prominence, his work as editor of Francis Kilvert's diaries, his librettos for several of Benjamin Britten's operas, including Gloriana , and his other literary works, which include five novels and ten volumes of verse.
- GenresBiography
416 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1989
14 people want to read
About the author
Peter F. Alexander
5 books2 followersAlexander, P. F.
Alexander, P. F. (Peter F.)
Alexander, Peter
Alexander, Peter F.
Alexander, Peter Fraser, 1949-
Peter F. Alexander was educated at the universities of the Witwatersrand, Leeds and Cambridge. He has written biographies of Roy Campbell, William Plomer, and Alan Paton (all published by OUP). He has also edited a selection of the verse of Roy Campbell for OUP, and has collaborated in a four-volume edition of all Campbell's writing. He is Emeritus Professor, School of the Arts and Media at the University of New South Wales in Sydney.
Alexander, P. F. (Peter F.)
Alexander, Peter
Alexander, Peter F.
Alexander, Peter Fraser, 1949-
Peter F. Alexander was educated at the universities of the Witwatersrand, Leeds and Cambridge. He has written biographies of Roy Campbell, William Plomer, and Alan Paton (all published by OUP). He has also edited a selection of the verse of Roy Campbell for OUP, and has collaborated in a four-volume edition of all Campbell's writing. He is Emeritus Professor, School of the Arts and Media at the University of New South Wales in Sydney.
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April 30, 2017
By far the most detailed study of Plomer’s life and work. Exemplary bio.
Displaying 1 of 1 review