Ian Collins: Blythe Spirit – The Remarkable Life of Ronald Blythe

Ian Collins in conversation with Caroline Montagu. A Bridport Literary Festival event. 

Drawing on unparalleled access to letters, notebooks, published works, and conversations from decades of friendship, Ian Collins tells the full story of Ronald Blythe, author of Akenfield. Intimate, meditative and often laced with a wry humour, Blythe’s writing invited readers to share his enchanting perspective on the world. Yet the ‘real’ Ronald Blythe left school at 14, and educated himself in libraries, churches and walks in the East Anglian landscape. He experienced early poverty, wartime trauma, and his sexuality was kept private except from those closest to him. Collins’ book is a sensitive, revelatory portrait which celebrates a fascinating, complex man and casts new light on one of our greatest writers.

£14

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