Crichel Boys: Scenes from England's Last Literary Salon

In 1945, Eddy Sackville-West, Desmond Shawe-Taylor, and Eardley Knollys purchased Long Crichel House, an old rectory with no electricity and an inadequate water supply, and began the last English literary salon. Long Crichel became an idiosyncratic experiment in communal living, with Sackville-West, Shawe-Taylor, and Knollys joined by Raymond Mortimer. The visitors book reveals a Who's Who of the arts in post-war Britain, including Nancy Mitford, Benjamin Britten, Laurie Lee, Cyril Connolly, Somerset Maugham, E.M. Forster, Cecil Beaton, Vita Sackville-West, and Harold Nicolson. The house and its inhabitants were to weather the aftershocks of the Crichel Down Affair, the Wolfenden Report, and the AIDS crisis.

Format: Hardback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 25 February 2021
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

In 1945, a group of writers and a National Trust administrator purchased Long Crichel House, an old rectory in rural England with no electricity and an inadequate water supply. This unlikely location would become the last English literary salon, known for its quieter and less formal atmosphere compared to the famed London salons. The group consisted of Eddy Sackville-West, Desmond Shawe-Taylor, and Eardley Knollys, who were later joined by the literary critic Raymond Mortimer. At Long Crichel, these individuals formed surrogate families, and their companionship became a stimulus for writing, not only for themselves but also for their guests. The visitors book of Long Crichel reveals a Who's Who of the arts in post-war Britain, including Nancy Mitford, Benjamin Britten, Laurie Lee, Cyril Connolly, Somerset Maugham, E.M. Forster, Cecil Beaton, Vita Sackville-West, and Harold Nicolson. These individuals were drawn to the house by the excellent food, generous quantities of drink, and engaging conversation. For Frances Partridge and James Lees-Milne, Long Crichel became a second home, and their lives were deeply intertwined with the house.

However, the story of Long Crichel extends beyond its literary significance. The house and its inhabitants would face significant challenges in the years to come. The Crichel Down Affair, the Wolfenden Report, and the AIDS crisis would all impact the house and its inhabitants. The house also played a part in the development of the National Trust and other conservation movements.

Through the lens of Long Crichel, archivist and writer Simon Fenwick tells a broader story of the great upheaval that took place in the second half of the twentieth century. His book, "Long Crichel: The Last English Literary Salon," provides an intimate and revealing account of the house and its inhabitants. Fenwick explores the social and cultural context of the time, the impact of World War II on the arts, and the role of Long Crichel in shaping the literary and cultural landscape of post-war Britain.

Long Crichel House remains a testament to the power of literature and the enduring human spirit. It stands as a symbol of the creativity, resilience, and camaraderie that can be found even in the most unlikely of places. Through the stories of its inhabitants and the broader historical context, "Long Crichel: The Last English Literary Salon" offers a glimpse into the rich and complex tapestry of twentieth-century Britain.

Weight: 650g
Dimension: 164 x 242 x 37 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472132475