The Patrick Hamilton Appreciation Society discussion

James Kennaway, I had not heard of before. Can anyone recommend a book by him?

I have just found this link to what looks like an interesting '60s era book and film.

Mind Benders

http://dangerousminds.net/comments/th...

I've never heard of him before now Greg - but agree his work sounds interesting.



John le Carré reckons that....



"The Cost Of Living Like This (1969) is James Kennaway's best book...

More than any of his other books, it testifies to his extraordinary poetic talent and the power of his human insight."

Book Description

They were painting the gothic corridors of the railway hotel when the economist arrived. It was about six o’clock in the evening, early in May, which is no time to die … Thus opens this brilliant novel, the story of Julian, a 38-year-old economist who has learned he is dying of lung cancer and has only a short time left to live. Racked with constant pain that is only partially assuaged by copious amounts of alcohol and drugs, Julian faces the loneliness of approaching death as his marriage with Christabel is made strained and difficult by the knowledge of his illness. When he meets seventeen-year-old Sally Cohen, young, exuberant, and full of life, he sees a chance to live more fully until the end and embarks on a passionate affair that will have devastating results for Julian and both of the women who love him …

Valancourt have republished it

http://www.valancourtbooks.com/the-co...

Contemporary reviews......

“Kennaway’s best book. More than any of his other books, it testifies to his extraordinary poetic talent and the power of his human insight.” – John le Carré

“If there is any justice at all … Kennaway’s stock will rise posthumously. He could, after all, write rings around many of his more famous contemporaries. And is it too much to hope that he will be remembered at least partly as the author of The Cost of Living Like This, his last and probably best novel?” – Life Magazine

“This is a sad triumph; a triumph because it is an excellent novel with depth, tenderness, and humour and sad because it is the last novel, posthumously published, of James Kennaway, who was killed in a car accident last year … The story is told with tremendous compassion while the writing is kept light and avoids melodrama; it is a moving and impressive book.” – James Krampus, Financial Times

“A moving and serious book, the harrowing theme is heightened by Kennaway’s extraordinary ability to convince us that what he is saying appears not only real but true.” – Spectator

Please share your thoughts Manfred once you get stuck in - I agree it sounds like an interesting book