30 DECEMBER 2000, Page 23

The listening man

From Mr Adam Thorpe Sir: Contrary to Philip MacCann's version (Books, 9 December), I was fully awake during his chat into the wee hours with Malcolm Bradbury in my Leipzig hotel room in 1995; I was far too busy marvelling at Bradbury's almost superhuman patience and understanding before a deeply trou- bled MacCann to even think about sleep.

At around four in the morning Bradbury stood up and said, with his usual rueful smile, 'I'm getting a bit old for this', and both men staggered off to find their own rooms. Bradbury's public qualities are well known, but his ability to listen and empathise remains my most precious mem- ory of his company. Adam Thorpe

Monoblet, France