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Chapter 37 - Literary Leanings

from Part V - British Sociocultural, Religious, and Political Life

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 March 2022

By
Nicholas Clark
Edited by
Vicki P Stroeher  and
Justin Vickers
Vicki P Stroeher
Affiliation:
Marshall University, West Virginia
Justin Vickers
Affiliation:
Illinois State University
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Summary

This essay provides insight into some of the content of Britten and Pears’s book collection. It draws attention to why certain volumes were used as the source material for various musical works. The essay also emphasises how friendships with writers, such as art historian Kenneth Clark and novelist and critic E. M. Forster, influenced key aspects of Britten and Pears’s lives: their passion for fine art and their faith in pacifism. This survey of the collection underlines why their books are often useful bases of information for biographical background about both musicians. Their library tells us stories about their childhoods and discloses their interests in topics ranging from classic English literature to gardening to the developing genre of gay fiction. Additionally, it adds context to fundamental aspects of their lives, such as their anti-war stance and their enduring commitment to one another.

Keywords

Benjamin BrittenPeter PearsbookslibraryEnglish literaturefine artpacifismgay fictionpoetryproseE. M. ForsterKenneth ClarkJane AustenMichelangeloJohn DonneMary RenaultShakespeare
Type
Chapter
Information
Benjamin Britten in Context , pp. 327 - 333
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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