GUSTO AND GUMPTION
ALL ABOUT OURSELVES, and Other Essays, by J. B. Priestley, chosen and introduced by Eric Gillett; Heinemann, English price 21/-. MAN who, in an exceptionally large output, can write The Good Companions, The Linden Tree, Midnight on the Desert, two volumes in the English Men of Letters and other books of criticism, and a pile of essays, illustrates exuberantly the English tradition of versatility. No doubt among J. B. Priestley’s admirers preference goes to each of these classes, but there will be a general welcome for this selected edition of his essays, which range from 1922 to 1949. There is a strong connection between Priestley’s versatility and the success that leads Eric Gillett to place him among the great English essayists. He is interested in everything. "Here, to pick out a few items, he moves from Shakespeare and Dickens to "vulgar optimists," trying new kinds of tobacco, dingy hotels, music at the Albert Hall, a swindling door pedlar, conjuring and the "malice" of the portrait camera. Here are the familiar wit and humour and gusto. The subject may seem too dull for words, but the dust is beaten out of ther carpet in lively fashion. A description of a moth-eaten, timechipped comfortless hotel bedroom in the Midlands shows brilliantly what can be done with drab detail. Priestley is a superb reporter, one of the greatest since Dickens. Gusto is like oxygen; you can have too much or too little. Priestley’s high spirits, his readiness to shout "Bravo!" contrast refreshingly with the tightlipped, grudging analysis of some critics, and behind his enthusiasm is a fine critical equipment. A good essayist must be personal and communicative; he must establish a friendship. Bracketing Priestley with Max Beerbohm, while Max was alive, Eric Gillett notes that "two of the supremely good broadcasters are also the best contemporary English essayists." But don’t try to make a meal of this delightful harvest of the years.
Keep it for dipping into.
A.
M.
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 36, Issue 923, 18 April 1957, Page 13
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329GUSTO AND GUMPTION New Zealand Listener, Volume 36, Issue 923, 18 April 1957, Page 13
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Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
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