Edward Garnett

London: Max Parrish (in association with Chanticleer Press, New York), 1950 (December). With plates and illustrations. A volume in the series "Personal Portraits," edited by Patric Dickinson and Sheila Shannon.

Citing correspondence, Baldwin (1987, p. 170) says that the writing of this memoir of Edward Garnett "began in 1948 and occupied much of 1949" and brought together Bates, Rupert Hart-Davis, and David Garnett "once again into fruitful collaboration, with H.E. supplying the basic text and the others offering corrections, ideas for revision, and help with technical matters." Half biography, half autobiography, and with numerous letters from Garnett to Bates transcribed (and in one case reproduced), the slim volume shows Garnett's tremendous influence on the neophyte writer from the countryside; it also depicts Garnett's personal qualities, as well as those of his wife Constance, through numerous anecdotes of evenings at Garnett's London flat and visits to "The Cearne," the Garnett home and gardens in Kent. Bates wrote previously about Garnett shortly after his death in 1937 ("Edward Garnett: An Appreciation of a Great Critic.") and later in the second volume of the autobiography, The Blossoming World.

The review in Blackfriars notes that 'Mr Bates writes of a friend to whom he owes much, and his portrait of a disinterested critic who used his skill to assist young writers is the work of gratitude and love.' In the Times Literary Supplement, William Charles Plomer writes that 'Mr. Bates's portrait-sketch of Garnett is lively and lifelike...a valuable, entertaining and grateful account of his friendship with an exceptional man of letters.'

Reviews:

• Times Literary Supplement (February 2, 1951, p. 64, William Charles Plomer, attached)
• Blackfriars (February, 1951, p. 92, attached)
• Sunday Times (January 14, 1951, p. 3, Raymond Mortimer, attached)