CROUCH, James DatSton ; Writer since 1950, b 12 March 1929;
S. of Eric Crouch and Ann (nee Bates); In 1st 1957 Barbra Hope (marrdiss); one s. one d. 2nd Sophie Watt 1975, one 5, Educ: Chelmsford Grammar Sch., Wadharn Coll. Oxford; National Service (Army)R.E.M.B. Publications: Last Bus From Braintree 1958) filmed 1960, adapted am 1912; Out of Flatley, 19b0; Cold Norton, 1963, Bonds of Strife (selected essays) 196b, Women, Flats and Fields (stories)1967, Wal They stood, a sad misalliance of Spring and AutUmn:she,the publicity girl from Watirter& Wilcox, so young, so efficient... ..he, the author of anew novel, tired and spent . Her job of accompanytitg him during the publicising of his book (a few signings & interviews in the pro- vinces) was now over. Soon, a taxi would take her to a youneer man, a man of promise, udw.the would escort to the party .held in honour of his Second novel, (his First - sham-tasted for the Booker Prize), and who, in subsequent days, she would tenderly shepherd to all those venues, where his talent would be feted: 4?3roadeasttnt House, Camden Lock, Limeerove, Hate/tants, the Grouch° Club. Crouch remembered his own days of glory, his name blazoned- over the literary pages, the pyramids of his books in Fogies' window, the queues of peop,M agog for his stgnature ...the murmured corn- Pliments ...the triumphant flour- ish of his pen on Countless title pages But now, public taste has changed: Social Reazism is the genre of yester- day and the publication of his new book merited no more than aim, Cursory and, in some cases, Slighting mentions inthe press.. and ,today, in Manchester, only 6 punters wanted their copier Signed . And Crouch rued the Changesat his publishers, once Congenial,wath committed &latent & lunches, but now, as part elan international, conglomerate, it disgorged huge advances ,for pulp andpackagect his own work in lurid jackets. Thus Crouch boarded his cab, feeling the onset of winter..the taxi heater warm and the butter, in its dish in Braintree, would be hard. "Bye Bye') she Said."Take care!"
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