After yesterday’s long trip we took it easy today.
I finished reading
The front and back of the jacket are from a painting by the author’s father, Ulric van den Bogaerde created in 1934.
In this book Dirk Bogarde returns to the years from 1927 to 1934 visited fleetingly in the first part of his autobiography ‘A Postillion Struck by Lightning’. The work really does evoke that period of a largely idyllic childhood. In his author’s note, the author, no doubt very fairly, credits Fanny Blake as ‘the most valiant of editors’ with having ‘wrestled hard and long with [his] deliberately limited vocabulary.’ It is this naive vocabulary and verbal style that is the greatest charm of this volume, conveying the very sense of the young boy who published, courtesy of the Viking branch of Penguin Books, this evocation in 1992 – so many years after the depicted events. Bogarde’s fluency and facility with description nevertheless shines through, as he expands on his early childhood.
The monochrome full page pictures among the text
retain Mr. Bogarde’s lightness of touch.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s spicy pork paprika with savoury rice. I drank Séguret Cotes du Rhone Villages 2018 while Mrs Knight abstained.
Dirk Bogarde does have a most attractive style, particularly if one has enough years for the people referred to to be familiar.
Indeed. Thanks very much, Leslie.
But did it rain?
No 🙂 Thanks very much, Pauline.
Sounds fun. Were the pen and wash drawings his own?
They were. He was multi-talented. Thanks very much, Val.
Beautiful illustrations, Derrick. Love the cover paintings too. It sounds like a fascinating read.
It is very evocative. Thanks very much, Sylvia.
Lovely dreamy illustrations doubtless conveying memories of the author’s childhood.
They do, indeed. One at least is in Alfriston which is still pretty unchanged. Thanks very much, Dolly.
My pleasure, Derrick
Thank you for the illustration copies from your book, they are lovely drawings, and you have reproduced them excellently Derrick….
Thanks very much, Ivor. Despite Apple’s update’s best efforts 🙂
Wow quite amazing
Many thanks, More.
You’re welcome
I loved the man. I should place this on my lists of books to read!
Well worth it, Sue. Many thanks.
Stunning work. Must check him out.
He wrote about 5 of these and a number of novels. A multi talented man – son of an artist and an actress. Thanks very much, Gary.
Oh my goodness I enjoyed these illustrations. Particularly the front and back jacket. Thank you!
I’m pleased, Crystal. Many thanks.
Sounds like a lovely book, Derrick. Sometimes simplicity works best, as it seems to in this case. I enjoyed the illustrations as well.
Indeed, Lavinia. Many thanks.
Those are fascinating sketches. The jacket illustrations are a perfect match to the evocation contained within.
Thanks very much, Uma. It is a delight.
What a treat of a book it seems.
A wonderful author and book! And the illustrations are amazing! I love the details in them! 🙂
Your dinner sounds delicious! I love paprika!
HUGS!!! 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn. He was a multi-talented man. Much more than the cinema matinee idol.
Oh, indeed, he was! 🙂
Happy New Day to you all! 🙂
I was trying to decide if pictures one and two were the same original twice or the same scene pictured on two different occasions. I still can’t make my mind up 100%.
The front cover is a crop from the back one. Thanks very much, John.
The cover drawing and others are already wanting to read this (autobiography?)
Yes. He wrote about 5 – all delightful. Thanks very much, Yoshimi.
These sketches are lovely.
Many thanks, Sherry
An Evocation seems the right title. The illustrations are delightful.
Thanks very much, Merril.
I’ve trimmed a few wicks in my time, and still have a number of oil lamps which I enjoy in winter. His drawing of the lamps certainly evoked some memories.
I’m pleased, Linda. Many thanks
Beautiful images.
Thanks very much, Rabirius
It’s great that even back then, people left stories for the future generations. A first-hand account of what life was like back then.
Indeed.Many thanks, GP
I love how the perspective in the paintings/drawings is just ever so slightly skewed. It produces a nice whimsy. 🙂
I’m pleased you spotted that, Widders. Thanks very much.
I used to be an architectural grafter in a previous life … sometimes I can’t help but see the lines. 🙂
The illustrations from ‘An Evocation’ have been beautifully reproduced, Derrick. I really must get copies of his autobiography.
Thanks very much, Clare. You will like them.
The book sounds delightful!
It is, Liz. Many thanks.
🙂 It’s nice to read a feel-good book, every now and again.