Description

Book Synopsis
In July 1943, the young Welsh poet and soldier Alun Lewis, already recognised as one of the outstanding writers of his generation, arrived on sick leave at the house near Madras of Freda Aykroyd, a devotee of literature and the wife of a British scientist. Lewis and Aykroyd fell in love instantly, recognising in each other similar temperaments and artistic interests. Their affair, which lasted until Lewis' mysterious death on the Arakan Front in March 1944, inspired some of the finest of his wartime poems as well as an extraordinary cache of letters published here for the first time. The letters throw fresh light on Lewis' passionate and troubled nature and the background to his literary output at a time when he was at the height of his creative powers. In her preface, Freda Aykroyd charts the haunting story of their relationship and its tragic outcome.

Trade Review
'Enthralling' - The Guardian 'A wonderful collection of letters...[they] offer an extraordinary inisght into the final year of [Alun Lewis's] life.' - The Saturday Guardian

Cypress Walk. Letters from Alun Lewis to Freda

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    A Paperback / softback by Alun Lewis

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      Book details

      Publisher Enitharmon Press
      Published 16 October 2006
      ISBN-13 9781904634300
      978-1904634300
      ISBN-10 1904634303
      Also in:
      Autobiography: writers Literary studies: c 1900 to c 2000 Literary studies: poetry and poets

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      In July 1943, the young Welsh poet and soldier Alun Lewis, already recognised as one of the outstanding writers of his generation, arrived on sick leave at the house near Madras of Freda Aykroyd, a devotee of literature and the wife of a British scientist. Lewis and Aykroyd fell in love instantly, recognising in each other similar temperaments and artistic interests. Their affair, which lasted until Lewis' mysterious death on the Arakan Front in March 1944, inspired some of the finest of his wartime poems as well as an extraordinary cache of letters published here for the first time. The letters throw fresh light on Lewis' passionate and troubled nature and the background to his literary output at a time when he was at the height of his creative powers. In her preface, Freda Aykroyd charts the haunting story of their relationship and its tragic outcome.

      Trade Review
      'Enthralling' - The Guardian 'A wonderful collection of letters...[they] offer an extraordinary inisght into the final year of [Alun Lewis's] life.' - The Saturday Guardian

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