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[F.S. OLIVER]
[ST: Blanket of the Dark]
EDGERSTON, JEDBURGH, SCOTLAND.
13/9 31
Dear John.
You are a wonderful fellow, for you have made me read - and enjoy - a modern historical novel.
It seems to me - who am an ignorant beast - that Cap. I deserves very high praise. It is not only extremely pleasant to read, but it is also very skilful.
And I think when you come to deal with that 'Bend'or' of ancient days whom men call
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Henry VIII, you have the right sow by the ear. We never read a more convincing sketch of this strangest pupil of Machiavelli.
So that's that!
I find very few traces in your work of the influence of Freud, or Proust, or André Gide.
On the other hand you have gone a long way to satisfy the epicene Yankee demand for "sex appeal".
The chief blemish of your book,
in my opinion, is that you don't turn Peter & Sabine loose together in the Greenwood, for a week of summer days, & without the blessing of the church.
In the body I am so-so and spiritually I am sore beset. I have been trying, since we came here in June, to order my affairs & have been driven to various dire conclusions. Indeed the lack of spondulicums is so pressing that I have humbled myself to my prosperous neighbour at Kenry [ST: house at Richmond] Right Hon Sir Archibald Sinclair Bart M.P. & he has been good enough, after a good deal of argumentation, to promise
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me the next gaberlunzie badge & gown that fall vacant. That may be a long time, but it is wise to flag the early bird, for Ramsay & others will soon come hopping along.
I go no more to Kingston Hill, & shall be obliged if you will find me a tenant bursting with dollars.
We shd. like fine to see you both.
I hear that Alice has contracted the family malady.
Love to you all
F.S.O.
