Old Adam
Sir: While reading the many reviews of Sir Denis Forman's book Son of Adam, in- cluding The Spectator's (Books, 10 Novem- ber), and in reading the book itself, I have been gradually forced towards a means of comment, especially in defence of his parents, whose reputations he so con- fidently maltreats. It is easy to propound one-sided views about one's parents. What is difficult is to propound a fair view.
Flora and Adam Forman, widely loved and respected throughout Dumfriesshire, and their large and intelligent family, were, except for Sir Denis himself, amongst the nicest and sweetest people I have ever known. Their house, which I visited fre- quently over 40 years, culminating in Adam's hundreth birthday in 1976, was a haven of warmth and welcome, of hospital- ity and kindness, and of wonderful talk. It was always with a feeling of excitement that I went there.
Several chapters of Son of Adam are well written and a pleasure to read, espe- cially those on farming, fishing and curling. Likewise, his love of Craigielands, which I know to be genuine, is very moving. But, for the rest, it is a slanted and unjustified farrago, typical of the worst modern li- cence, sinister in its sexual and ' anti- religious outbursts and, above all, unbal- anced in its characterisation of his parents. The writer appears psychologically strange, capable of believing in very little.
Someone must speak up for Flora and Adam. I am glad to be that man.
T.L. Geddes
Cleveland Cottage, Littleworth Common Road, Esher, Surrey
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