Recollections of the Powys Brothers

by Belinda Humfrey

John Cowper, Theodore Francis, and Llewelyn Powys, the most famous members of the large and talented family of the Reverend C.F. Powys, are also three of the most distinctive voices in English literature. Humfrey presents these brilliant and often eccentric brothers through the memories of their contemporaries. For those who are ignorant of them it serves as a vital introduction, and for those who wish to be disturbed by them again, it is a Kim's Game of recognition and surprise."" - The Times.

288 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1980

Reviews

[Richard S · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I wade through the huge collection of Powys-related titles I have acquired, the idea of handling the project by reading them all in some kind of organized fashion is simply too difficult to contemplate. Instead, I'm going to read them "inspirationally" taking them as I feel inclined. They are piled up all over my library.

This particular book was probably a good one to read early on in connection with this project, as it approaches the Powys family from a distance, with recollections of the three most famous brothers in particular. The book is full of fascinating revelations about the family, but also about the writers of the pieces themselves, the best being by Alyse Gregory, the wife of Llewelyn, who writes most beautifully and insightfully. Many of the pieces are by famous writers who met John Cowper Powys briefly, and who were more or less deeply inspired by him.

The interaction between the various family members is like a great novel in itself, and what is most fascinating how different the various children turn out. They each have distinct and highly developed personalities, and their styles of living are quite inspirational. As an individual, it's interesting to find my own personal qualities reflected in part in each of them. Regardless, the great kindness and generosity each of the Powys show towards others is especially inspirational. They are all "great hosts", even if they are each odd in their own particularly way.

It has been said that the novels of John Cowper Powys contain his brothers and sisters, sometimes thinly disguised, and I see that, especially in the descriptions of T.F. Powys. Although I've read JCP's novels, some of them several times, it will be interesting to go back once I have a more thorough understanding of each of them and try to find them.

All in all, an excellent selection put together by Belinda Humfrey, as you really feel afterwards a great sense of what these people were like in real life.