Compton Mackenzie (1883-1972)

Sir Edward Montague Anthony Compton Mackenzie (1883-1972) came from a theatrical and bohemian family. He was the son of the actor/manager Edward Compton Mackenzie, founder of the Compton Comedy Company. His sister, Fay Compton, was an actress particularly famous for starring in the plays of J. M. Barrie in the 1920s. Monty, as he became … Continue reading →

Beverley Nichols’ first autobiography: Twenty-Five (1926)

I’ve posted before about Beverley Nichols (1898- 1983), a prolific writer of novels, journalism, political tracts, plays, children’s fiction, books about houses, gardens and cats – you name it, he wrote it. My interest was started by finding a copy of his early novel Crazy Pavements (1927), a surprising, dark and funny book. I wanted … Continue reading →

‘The original Bright Young Thing’: Beverley Nichols’ Crazy Pavements (1927)

I hadn’t heard of Beverley Nichols (1898-1983) before finding this novel in a box of donations. As soon as I started to do my research it became clear that he is yet another writer who was extremely well-known in his day, and almost entirely forgotten now.  Nichols had an amazingly prolific and wide-ranging writing career. … Continue reading →