David McClay is former senior curator of the John Murray Archive at the National Library of Scotland (2006-16) and now works at the University of Edinburgh. He is a trustee of Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott, and has been involved in numerous national and international exhibitions on Byron and other Romantic-era themes, on which subjects he also speaks and lecturers. A great letter enthusiast, David himself doesn't write as many letters as he should.
Attractively arranged, given ample context, and a diverting read - Sunday TelegraphWhether angry, apologetic, wheedling or rude, the fondness and regard in which the Murrays were held by their correspondents shines through - HeraldWriters writing about books has always made for compelling reading. Writers writing about their own books in private correspondence to their publisher tends to produce a particular kind of letter. There is passion, conviction, fluency, doubt, deference, sometimes frustration and anger, maybe even gratitude. The letters in Dear Mr Murray . . . show these qualities and more . . . this collection brings [Murray's] salad days inexorably to life - Scottish Review of BooksAs well as allowing us glimpses behind the public faces of some exalted authors, McClay has paid tribute here to a remarkable line whose shared name became synonymous with a sense of responsibility to their company, their authors and literature itself - NationAn entertaining picture of the day-to-day dealings between author and publisher over 250 years - Times Literary Supplement
 |
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
