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This Small Cloud
- GenresBritish Literature
264 pages, Hardcover
Published February 19, 1987
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
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May 15, 2018It’s unusual to review a book that’s out of print, but I highly recommend this fascinating dive into England’s social history, and a time when being gay was punishable by imprisonment. This Small Cloud was published posthumously in 1987. There are second hand editions available, and I’m willing to lend my copy. It’s an important book.
Harry Daley was born in Norfolk in 1901. He knew from an early age that he was gay. During his life he was a merchant seaman, a London policeman, a member of the Bloomsbury Set, and E. M. Forster’s lover.
He encountered many famous people, including Prime Minister Bonar Law, the women’s rights campaigner Marie Stopes, and media magnate Lord Beaverbrook.
Daley’s writing is candid and direct. In life he was honest and open, and never hid the fact that he was gay. He writes about the prejudice he faced, both in youth and later in the Metropolitan Police in London. He never denied his sexuality, but importantly, he never allowed senior officers in the police force to get the better of him, or hold back opportunities from him.
He was bullied by some of his colleagues, and describes in the book how the bullies “were ex-Guardsmen who looked on homosexuals as a source of extra income. They couldn’t resist telling of their adventures with rich old queers but anxious not to give themselves away completely always ended with ‘Of course – directly he touched me – biff bang wallop.’ Of course!”
In the mid-twenties he became a part of the Bloomsbury Set and began a relationship with E. M. Forster. The writer was not the only person to fall for Daley, and Daley is clear that his preferences were for what he called “normal men” who were older, rougher and stronger than himself.
This was a surprising book in many ways. Daley gives fascinating descriptions of a side of early twentieth century Britain I had not read about before. His writing style is accessible, and he tells a good story. This is first-hand social history, and it’s first-rate.
Harry Daley was born in Norfolk in 1901. He knew from an early age that he was gay. During his life he was a merchant seaman, a London policeman, a member of the Bloomsbury Set, and E. M. Forster’s lover.
He encountered many famous people, including Prime Minister Bonar Law, the women’s rights campaigner Marie Stopes, and media magnate Lord Beaverbrook.
Daley’s writing is candid and direct. In life he was honest and open, and never hid the fact that he was gay. He writes about the prejudice he faced, both in youth and later in the Metropolitan Police in London. He never denied his sexuality, but importantly, he never allowed senior officers in the police force to get the better of him, or hold back opportunities from him.
He was bullied by some of his colleagues, and describes in the book how the bullies “were ex-Guardsmen who looked on homosexuals as a source of extra income. They couldn’t resist telling of their adventures with rich old queers but anxious not to give themselves away completely always ended with ‘Of course – directly he touched me – biff bang wallop.’ Of course!”
In the mid-twenties he became a part of the Bloomsbury Set and began a relationship with E. M. Forster. The writer was not the only person to fall for Daley, and Daley is clear that his preferences were for what he called “normal men” who were older, rougher and stronger than himself.
This was a surprising book in many ways. Daley gives fascinating descriptions of a side of early twentieth century Britain I had not read about before. His writing style is accessible, and he tells a good story. This is first-hand social history, and it’s first-rate.
May 15, 2022
Harry Daley of course. Must have been distract for some reason...
March 11, 2025
Published posthumously. Daley's writing style is authentic and endearing. His voice seems of a more modern era than the period in which he lived. As a child, he caught the tail end of Edwardian times!
One of the most refreshing "gay" memoirs I've read in that Daley fully accepts his sexuality, is frank about his desires, but it is not the primary focus of his life.
One of the most refreshing "gay" memoirs I've read in that Daley fully accepts his sexuality, is frank about his desires, but it is not the primary focus of his life.
August 2, 2022
A very enjoyable read.
June 16, 2025
Interesting read, well worth it.
About a partially out gay/homosexual policeman way before it was legal, never mind acceptable in the force… Incredible life and then he even wrote about it!
About a partially out gay/homosexual policeman way before it was legal, never mind acceptable in the force… Incredible life and then he even wrote about it!
August 20, 2025
This book focuses on being a policeman. There is no mention of Daley’s involvement with the Bloomsbury set or gay antics which I was hoping for.
The first section of this book dealing with his childhood in Suffolk is by far the highlight.
Whilst he comes across as a sweet guy his racism (towards the Irish) and misogyny blaming women voters for a weak prime minister, jarred.
The first section of this book dealing with his childhood in Suffolk is by far the highlight.
Whilst he comes across as a sweet guy his racism (towards the Irish) and misogyny blaming women voters for a weak prime minister, jarred.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews