The Wainwright Letters

Alfred Wainwright, the legendary fell walker and author of the incomparable and unique Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells was also a fluent, eloquent and diligent correspondent. Writing to old friends and to the many new ones gained through his books, and to his love, and later second wife, Betty, his letters display a much warmer, more sensitive and emotional character than his gruff popular image would suggest. Hunter Davies, Wainwright's biographer, has here collected a selection of letters that range from his early years in Blackburn to his established position as Borough Treasurer in Kendal, and cover all aspects of his professional and personal life, as well as the voluminous correspondence that was a consequence of writing and publishing the Pictorial Guides. The latter vividly illuminate many aspects of that turbulent but ultimately triumphant process, while the former present a picture of a dedicated public servant whose personal life had been deeply unhappy until late in life he found unexpected but transcendent love and happiness. In turn business-like and comic, wonderfully well informed and remarkably innocent, deeply moving and yet tough-minded, the letters present a vivid and unforgettable picture of one of the great but eccentric creative geniuses of the twentieth century.

About the Author :
Hunter Davies is the author of over 30 books, many of them with a Lake District connection, as well as biographies of Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter and Eddie Stobart. His authorised biography of Wainwright appeared in 1995. He is married to the novelist and biographer Margaret Forster and they divide their time between London and their Lake District home in Loweswater.

Review :
An ideal gift for Wainwright fans. Always well-informed, sometimes innocent, often moving and yet tough-minded, the letters present a vivid picture of one of Cumbria's creative geniuses. Enhance our picture of a man who guarded his privacy so closely that he never even used his first name in print. This book is a delight; there is so much of interest if you love the Lake District, but also if you are interested in the struggle of the creative process and also the complexity of human relationships. Hunter Davies's editing of these letters has been masterfully reticent - just enough information and support to shape a very special human story that seems to tell itself. The Wainwright Letters offer us the multi-faceted mosaic of AW's life as he never intended to tell it. Today and forever he is simply "Wainwright". Present and unforgetrable picture of one of the great but eccentric creative geniuses of the twentieth century. Hunter Davies's editing of these letters has been masterfully reticent; just enough information and support to shape a very special human story that seems to tell itself. The Wainwirght Letters offer a multi-faceted mosaic of AW's life as he never intended to tell it. Through these letters, Wainwright is shown to be far more than a writer and illustrator of guidebooks. He is a man whose pen is able to convey the real power of the written word. It will be a wonderful resource for future writers to use when assessing Alfred Wainwright's place within twentieth-century literature. His affability and friendliness shines through in his written word. Feels a bit like eavesdropping on a series of private jokes and flirtations, but fascinating nonetheless. Never less than than entertaining. Reveal the character and life of a man whose passion for the hills has provided so much pleasure. Hunter Davies is to be congratulated on undertaking and successfully carrying out what must have seemed a truly daunting task. An ideal gift for Wainwright fans. Grange Now! Always well-informed, sometimes innocent, often moving and yet tough-minded, the letters present a vivid picture of one of Cumbria's creative geniuses. Carlisle News & Star Enhance our picture of a man who guarded his privacy so closely that he never even used his first name in print. Daily Mail This book is a delight; there is so much of interest if you love the Lake District, but also if you are interested in the struggle of the creative process and also the complexity of human relationships. Lakeland Walker Hunter Davies's editing of these letters has been masterfully reticent - just enough information and support to shape a very special human story that seems to tell itself. The Wainwright Letters offer us the multi-faceted mosaic of AW's life as he never intended to tell it. Today and forever he is simply "Wainwright". Cumberland News Present and unforgetrable picture of one of the great but eccentric creative geniuses of the twentieth century. Keswick Reminder Hunter Davies's editing of these letters has been masterfully reticent; just enough information and support to shape a very special human story that seems to tell itself. The Wainwirght Letters offer a multi-faceted mosaic of AW's life as he never intended to tell it. Workington Times & Star Through these letters, Wainwright is shown to be far more than a writer and illustrator of guidebooks. He is a man whose pen is able to convey the real power of the written word. It will be a wonderful resource for future writers to use when assessing Alfred Wainwright's place within twentieth-century literature. Footsteps His affability and friendliness shines through in his written word. Best of British Feels a bit like eavesdropping on a series of private jokes and flirtations, but fascinating nonetheless. Country Walking Never less than than entertaining. Cumbria Reveal the character and life of a man whose passion for the hills has provided so much pleasure. Workington Times & Star Hunter Davies is to be congratulated on undertaking and successfully carrying out what must have seemed a truly daunting task. TGO: The Great Outdoors