Letters from England – Eca de Queiroz
Eca de Queiroz, one of Portugal’s greatest writers, wrote his greatest works of literature while living in England. While Portuguese […]
Sentimental Education
Not a Letter from England today, but certainly a Letter for Valentine’s Day. I start in Paris with Gustave Flaubert’s […]
The Foundling Museum
Sir Thomas Coram spent seventeen years raising money and awareness of the plight of London’s street children, many left abandoned […]
Tiny Ships sail into Canterbury Cathedral
Frances Carlile’s installation in Canterbury Cathedral really caught my imagination – a tiny flotilla of ships made from organic finds […]
You’re Too Sweet For Me
In my last ‘Letter’, I examined light and dark literary themes in the stained-glass windows created by the Irish artist […]
Windows of Light: Harry Clarke
Bewley’s Oriental Cafe in Dublin and a completely extraordinary stained-glass window scatters light on our coffee cups. I drink while […]
Concerts at Kenwood
Kenwood House, London. An imposing stately home, built in the late 17th century, occupying the north edge of Hampstead Health. […]
The Girl on the Balcony
I was so sad to hear of the death this week of the actress Olivia Hussey. She was 73; although […]
The Swimming Pool Library
The title of Alan Hollinghurst’s brilliant novel ‘The Swimming Pool Library’ encapsulates, in four words, the reason I am a […]
An Alternative Christmas Song
I mentioned the delicate song ‘Snow’ when I featured ‘Undertow’ – another song by Lisa Hannigan. In aesthetic terms the […]