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Petrushka and the Dancer: The Diaries of John Cowper Powys, 1929-1939
The diary entries of John Cowper Powys begin in America, where Powys had just retired after 25 years of freelance lecturing, and end in Wales, with the completion of Owen Glendower. His day-to-day preoccupations - from the aesthetic to the anatomical - are evident here, along with reflections on his works in progress (numerous essays on philosophy, religion and literature, and four novels including A Glastonbury Romance), encounters with members of his family, and detailed observations of rural life in upstate New York, in the West Country, and in Wales. The diary also charts Powys's life with Phyllis Playter, to form her biography as well as his autobiography.
352 pages, Paperback
First published May 13, 1995
About the author
John Cowper Powys
169 books179 followersPowys was born in Shirley, Derbyshire, where his father was vicar. His mother was descended from the poet William Cowper, hence his middle name. His two younger brothers, Llewelyn Powys and Theodore Francis Powys, also became well-known writers. Other brothers and sisters also became prominent in the arts.
John studied at Sherborne School and Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and became a teacher and lecturer; as lecturer, he worked first in England, then in continental Europe and finally in the USA, where he lived in the years 1904-1934. While in the United States, his work was championed by author Theodore Dreiser. He engaged in public debate with Bertrand Russell and the philosopher and historian Will Durant: he was called for the defence in the first obscenity trial for the James Joyce novel, Ulysses, and was mentioned with approval in the autobiography of US feminist and anarchist, Emma Goldman.
He made his name as a poet and essayist, moving on to produce a series of acclaimed novels distinguished by their uniquely detailed and intensely sensual recreation of time, place and character. They also describe heightened states of awareness resulting from mystic revelation, or from the experience of extreme pleasure or pain. The best known of these distinctive novels are A Glastonbury Romance and Wolf Solent. He also wrote some works of philosophy and literary criticism, including a pioneering tribute to Dorothy Richardson.
Having returned to the UK, he lived in England for a brief time, then moved to Corwen in Wales, where he wrote historical romances (including two set in Wales) and magical fantasies. He later moved to Blaenau Ffestiniog, where he remained until his death in 1963.
John studied at Sherborne School and Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and became a teacher and lecturer; as lecturer, he worked first in England, then in continental Europe and finally in the USA, where he lived in the years 1904-1934. While in the United States, his work was championed by author Theodore Dreiser. He engaged in public debate with Bertrand Russell and the philosopher and historian Will Durant: he was called for the defence in the first obscenity trial for the James Joyce novel, Ulysses, and was mentioned with approval in the autobiography of US feminist and anarchist, Emma Goldman.
He made his name as a poet and essayist, moving on to produce a series of acclaimed novels distinguished by their uniquely detailed and intensely sensual recreation of time, place and character. They also describe heightened states of awareness resulting from mystic revelation, or from the experience of extreme pleasure or pain. The best known of these distinctive novels are A Glastonbury Romance and Wolf Solent. He also wrote some works of philosophy and literary criticism, including a pioneering tribute to Dorothy Richardson.
Having returned to the UK, he lived in England for a brief time, then moved to Corwen in Wales, where he wrote historical romances (including two set in Wales) and magical fantasies. He later moved to Blaenau Ffestiniog, where he remained until his death in 1963.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 20, 2021
The Diary as Artifact: This is the first collection of diaries of a writer or artist that I've ever read. The first thing that comes to mind is the diary as an artifact - what a different "type" of writing it consists of. In this particular case, a few things come to mind - the diarist himself - and his relation to his work - in particular, is the diary honest? Can the diarist be trusted? Next, the creator of the collection of diary entries - in this case the editor states that only 10% of the voluminous diaries are included, the other 90% summarized as generally being of limited relevance. How much is the editor affecting the content and perhaps more importantly, the impression?
The Diary as Art: For a great writer like John Cowper Powys (JCP), there are moments of extraordinary beauty in the diary, which bear resemblances to his greatest novels. The diary can even be viewed as a very particular form of the writing art, with its own constraints - like those imposed on the novel and the short story. In this case JCP creates passages reflective of incredible depth and beauty, and yet also the mundane is stated without any attempt to turn it into art. JCP claims to be writing the diaries for future publication (which was not accomplished in his lifetime), but except for isolated moments, one does not detect a determined attempt in this area.
The Diary as Autobiography: Names, places, dates, these are important in the life of an artist. These diaries cover a period of 11 years, from when JCP is in Hillsdale, New York to when he finally settles in Wales. In that way, the diary is sort of a narrative, a novel in and of itself, with a sort of plot, but of course real life is less structured than a novel, good things and bad things happen at random. There are no "plot points" in real life, just "turning points", where decisions are made with wide-reaching life consequences. Also, the diary reflects the often disturbing personality of JCP, his odd sexual proclivities (although one is never quite sure what they are). Despite this, JCP comes across as much more "normal" in his diaries than he does in his Autobiography or his novels - and "harsh reality" especially the constant money matters have a way of bringing him "down to earth". JCP is a bit of an actor, which comes from his many years of lecturing in the United States, but the diaries reflect another side of him.
The Diary as Enlightenment: Fun facts! Like the fact that JCP deliberately did not include any women in his autobiography and the reason why (he didn't think they would like to be mentioned). How he was inspired by visits to the ruins of Maiden Castle to write his book of that name. How his companion Phyllis Plater did so much of the writing and contributed so many of the ideas to his novels. Basically - the how and why of so many things about his novels. It was very informative, dispelled several illusions and showed the thinking and reasoning behind many of the decisions in his novels. While writing "A Glastonbury Romance" how he struggled with the ending and wrote it long before he finished the rest of the novel.
The Diary as the Artist: As I read this, I kept thinking what incredible value something like this would be an aspiring artist - the trials and tribulations, the dealing with publishers and with fame, the necessity to find the time to write. Above all, one got the sense that the artist needs isolation and no distractions - I don't understand how anyone can write a novel while living in a big city. Even in the country, an entire day can be wasted because of unwanted visitors. Plus, JCP has the incredible Phyllis Plater to assist him. Although their relationship is a bit strange and difficult, having another person to care for, and to share ideas about your book as you go along, is invaluable.
The Diary as History: When we look back in time, we change history in light of the present. But history as lived is very different. In particular, with JCP, we get sort of a "live commentary" on the events leading up to World War Two which in many ways for me were the most interesting part of the diaries. He also corresponded with the great anarchist Emma Goldman, and there's a fair amount about the Spanish Civil War. In particular, the way the world was "fooled" by Hitler and the Czech annexation just shows how gullible we can be. We shouldn't have waited.
So - these are my reflections. Unfortunately despite all of the wonderful discoveries as I went through the diaries there was something a bit unlikeable that came out about JCP that I just couldn't shake. If his intent was that these be public diaries, his insistence on conveying the disturbing content of his personality detracted from the experience. While the diaries reveal much that is admirable about JCP, his selfless generosity to others being by far the most so, I could see someone unfamiliar with his essential nature being quite repulsed by some of the descriptions of his behavior. It's almost like you need to read "A Glastonbury Romance" to understand the diaries.
Giving a recommendation in this instance is kind of difficult - but if you thought the value I got out of the diaries which I've conveyed above might be something that you feel would be of interest, it might be worthwhile to read them. But I got this feeling of revulsion in enough places that I can't say that overall this was the greatest "reading experience". In other words, I think for a general reader that there's a lot of value here, but one feels like the diaries need a warning on the cover "Disturbing content!" But I do feel that the diaries reveal a lot about diaries in general and the idea of a diary in many ways that I found fascinating throughout, diary reading is a "unique" reading experience - and although some literature is done in the form of diaries or their equivalent, a "real life" diary is much different. So - pick your favorite writer, and try to find diaries - it will make you appreciate that writer a lot more, particularly the "craft" element. The creation of art as a finished product is something which occurs over a period of time, and a diary is a story of the process. We can look at a beautiful house, for example, and talk about all of its beautiful features, but the story of its being built adds another layer of appreciation. But despite some wonderful moments, I’m not sure this rises to a must read level, even for those familiar with and appreciative of JCP’s work. It does add a sense of completeness though and a broadening of appreciation and understanding of this great writer.
The Diary as Art: For a great writer like John Cowper Powys (JCP), there are moments of extraordinary beauty in the diary, which bear resemblances to his greatest novels. The diary can even be viewed as a very particular form of the writing art, with its own constraints - like those imposed on the novel and the short story. In this case JCP creates passages reflective of incredible depth and beauty, and yet also the mundane is stated without any attempt to turn it into art. JCP claims to be writing the diaries for future publication (which was not accomplished in his lifetime), but except for isolated moments, one does not detect a determined attempt in this area.
The Diary as Autobiography: Names, places, dates, these are important in the life of an artist. These diaries cover a period of 11 years, from when JCP is in Hillsdale, New York to when he finally settles in Wales. In that way, the diary is sort of a narrative, a novel in and of itself, with a sort of plot, but of course real life is less structured than a novel, good things and bad things happen at random. There are no "plot points" in real life, just "turning points", where decisions are made with wide-reaching life consequences. Also, the diary reflects the often disturbing personality of JCP, his odd sexual proclivities (although one is never quite sure what they are). Despite this, JCP comes across as much more "normal" in his diaries than he does in his Autobiography or his novels - and "harsh reality" especially the constant money matters have a way of bringing him "down to earth". JCP is a bit of an actor, which comes from his many years of lecturing in the United States, but the diaries reflect another side of him.
The Diary as Enlightenment: Fun facts! Like the fact that JCP deliberately did not include any women in his autobiography and the reason why (he didn't think they would like to be mentioned). How he was inspired by visits to the ruins of Maiden Castle to write his book of that name. How his companion Phyllis Plater did so much of the writing and contributed so many of the ideas to his novels. Basically - the how and why of so many things about his novels. It was very informative, dispelled several illusions and showed the thinking and reasoning behind many of the decisions in his novels. While writing "A Glastonbury Romance" how he struggled with the ending and wrote it long before he finished the rest of the novel.
The Diary as the Artist: As I read this, I kept thinking what incredible value something like this would be an aspiring artist - the trials and tribulations, the dealing with publishers and with fame, the necessity to find the time to write. Above all, one got the sense that the artist needs isolation and no distractions - I don't understand how anyone can write a novel while living in a big city. Even in the country, an entire day can be wasted because of unwanted visitors. Plus, JCP has the incredible Phyllis Plater to assist him. Although their relationship is a bit strange and difficult, having another person to care for, and to share ideas about your book as you go along, is invaluable.
The Diary as History: When we look back in time, we change history in light of the present. But history as lived is very different. In particular, with JCP, we get sort of a "live commentary" on the events leading up to World War Two which in many ways for me were the most interesting part of the diaries. He also corresponded with the great anarchist Emma Goldman, and there's a fair amount about the Spanish Civil War. In particular, the way the world was "fooled" by Hitler and the Czech annexation just shows how gullible we can be. We shouldn't have waited.
So - these are my reflections. Unfortunately despite all of the wonderful discoveries as I went through the diaries there was something a bit unlikeable that came out about JCP that I just couldn't shake. If his intent was that these be public diaries, his insistence on conveying the disturbing content of his personality detracted from the experience. While the diaries reveal much that is admirable about JCP, his selfless generosity to others being by far the most so, I could see someone unfamiliar with his essential nature being quite repulsed by some of the descriptions of his behavior. It's almost like you need to read "A Glastonbury Romance" to understand the diaries.
Giving a recommendation in this instance is kind of difficult - but if you thought the value I got out of the diaries which I've conveyed above might be something that you feel would be of interest, it might be worthwhile to read them. But I got this feeling of revulsion in enough places that I can't say that overall this was the greatest "reading experience". In other words, I think for a general reader that there's a lot of value here, but one feels like the diaries need a warning on the cover "Disturbing content!" But I do feel that the diaries reveal a lot about diaries in general and the idea of a diary in many ways that I found fascinating throughout, diary reading is a "unique" reading experience - and although some literature is done in the form of diaries or their equivalent, a "real life" diary is much different. So - pick your favorite writer, and try to find diaries - it will make you appreciate that writer a lot more, particularly the "craft" element. The creation of art as a finished product is something which occurs over a period of time, and a diary is a story of the process. We can look at a beautiful house, for example, and talk about all of its beautiful features, but the story of its being built adds another layer of appreciation. But despite some wonderful moments, I’m not sure this rises to a must read level, even for those familiar with and appreciative of JCP’s work. It does add a sense of completeness though and a broadening of appreciation and understanding of this great writer.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews