On Kingsly Amis

As the famous near the grave it must occur to some that out there somewhere, persons unknown are busily attempting to sum up their life story in a book.Meetings are planned,conversations had and editorial suggestions made, till finally the subject themselves passes away. Contracts are then drawn up,terms are agreed upon and the book is published and read by greater numbers of persons unknown. Biography is grim (reaper) reading. Ted Hughes famously contacted almost everybody he knew a biographer would wish to talk to and urged them not to participate in interviews or correspondences. Some fortunates include the likes of poet,novelist, father of Martin,
Kingsley Amis who were blessed by having a bright and well informed individual working regularly on the collation of biographical detail for many years.Zachary Leader fits this latter category. A contemporary of Amis Jr at the Times Literary Supplement, Leader edited the letters of Kingsley Amis in 2000 to produce a wonderful collection which illuminated Kingsley through touchingly sincere and funny correspondences,many of which were to and from his lifelong friend the poet Phillip Larkin.In the week that sees Leaders full authorised biography The Life of Kingsley Amis published,
London Review bookshop hosts a Q & A with Kingsleys son, the writer Martin Amis.