Z ENGA L ONGMORE It is a tragedy that an obscene hoax
almost obscured the radiance of Betjeman (Hutchinson, £20). A. N. Wilson is one of my favourite biographers. After smearing the butter of benevolence on his subjects he delights in spreading the malicious marmalade. The Nation’s Teddy Bear? Bah! Wilson sets us straight. In between writing poems Betjeman indulged in turbulent love affairs, suffered morbid religious guilt and was simply beastly to his poor son. Now that’s what I call an entertaining read.
On the other hand Boris (Simon & Schuster, £17.99), Andrew Gimson’s stylish biography of the Nation’s Buffoon, simply shimmers with good will to all men. The result is an effervescent delight.
When I was 13, Roy Kerridge took me and my sister on an epic journey around all the sights in England connected with the English Civil War. This expedition formed the backbone of a travel book, Roy Kerridge’s Britain (BTM Life Light, £15). The quirky, erudite book is just as enthralling as the original journey. And I’m not just saying that because Roy is my big brother.
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