Beverley Nichols

I've not read his books but the name instantly brought back memories - didn't he write a column in a women's magazine? My mother used to buy that magazine and I used to read his column when I was a young girl.
Mum read his books, too, I think.

My Mum loved him and my Dad loathed him. I won’t say how my Dad described him but it wasn’t nice. Dad was a mild mannered sort of man so I always wondered if he had actually met him and had some sort of argument with him.

He was homosexual , age about 60 when homosexuality was made legal

I loved his books when I was in my teens. Some were light pleasant stuff about gardens, but he also wrote a serious anti war book called Cry Havoc, which influenced me greatly. He also liked cats, as I do.

Grandma70s

I loved his books when I was in my teens. Some were light pleasant stuff about gardens, but he also wrote a serious anti war book called Cry Havoc, which influenced me greatly. He also liked cats, as I do.

Oh yes, that might have been the picture in the women's magazine, Beverley with a cat.

I enjoyed "The Tree that Sat Down" when I was a child but have not read any of his adult books.
I don't see his sexuality as in any way relevant and don't see why it should be mentioned.

I think the treatment of homosexuals pre 1967 should not be forgotten,

Anniebach

I think the treatment of homosexuals pre 1967 should not be forgotten,

Absolutely Annie. Well said.

nannna8- I'm with your Dad. I thought him a little bit creepy. Perhaps, now, with hindsight, I can see that he was leading a sad life.

Thank you Aldom if we do not speak of it it will be forgotten,

I loved his book "Merry Hall" which I bought from a secondhand book exchange when I was quite young and I still have it some 60 years later!

I looked him up and it said he was a pacifist. My dad flew aircraft in the RAF during the 2nd world war so that may well have upset him.

Yes, he was a pacifist. That’s what his book Cry Havoc was about. His arguments were very convincing, based on his knowledge of the first world war.

If only everybody was a pacifist……

Chocolatelovinggran

nannna8- I'm with your Dad. I thought him a little bit creepy. Perhaps, now, with hindsight, I can see that he was leading a sad life.

I doubt if he led a sad life. He had a partner, as many prominent homosexuals did, in spite of the law. Brave men.

He certainly doesn’t sound sad in the book I am presently reading, he’s full of zest for life.
Maybe this biography will enlighten me, sent to me by a fan:
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I have his book For Adults Only, a series of conversations between hapless adults and their obnoxious children, who always come out on top. Very amusing, still pertinent although dated, published in 1932.
He wasn't treated as badly as Oscar Wilde.

I doubt if he led a sad life. He had a partner, as many prominent homosexuals did, in spite of the law. Brave men.

It must have been very difficult to live in the awareness of society's attitudes and must have caused sadness.

Beverly Nichols' memoir Father Figure about his monster of an alcoholic father is worth a read.