Huxley defender
Sir: I-have taken /The Spectator for some thirty years: but have never Previously written to the Editor. I have been provoked into doing so ,„01' Richard Luckett's review of Mrs nedford's biography of Aldous Huxley
ovember 3) (which I have just lnished reading myself). It is quite the Worst that I have ever read in your Pips.
Mr Luckett, whoever he may be, Clearly knows nothing of Aldous ouxley nor indeed of English literature. Two quotations from his review will suffice: 1 "Huxley never learnt to write Well 2 "This carelessness ... makes [the] nook extremely hard to read."
Mrs Bedford's absorbing book took Me just a few hours non-stop and 1 see that V. S. Pritchett writes in the New Statesman:
'Her manner is graceful and economical.'
Raymond Mortimer was equally complementary in the Sunday Times; as for Huxley's style it needs no defenders.
The sooner Mr Luckett is put on Work he understands (manalement consultancy, cost benefit analysis or Perhaps teaching primary school children?) the better for The Spectator. Your days are numbered if you allow such trath to be published.
P. F. Grant
Ovington Street, London, SW3. Richard Luckett is director of English Studies at St Catherine's College. Cambridge — Editor, The Spectator.
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