Letter of Denis Glover

Discover the fascinating and revealing world of Denis Glover through his letters, compiled in this exceptional hardback edition by Sarah Shieff, published by Otago University Press. This meticulously curated collection of approximately 500 letters spans over 15 years, offering profound insight into Glover's life as a celebrated poet, naval commander, and influential figure in New Zealand literature. The dimensions of 230 x 150 mm make this beautifully bound volume a perfect addition to any literary collection. Glover's correspondence showcases his wit, intelligence, and unfiltered thoughts as he engages with a network of nearly 110 recipients drawn from an extensive archive of almost 3000 letters. As the founder of the Caxton Press in Christchurch, Glover played a pivotal role in shaping New Zealand's literary landscape. His legacy as a writer is underscored by his candid reflections on his experiences during World War II, where he earned a Distinguished Service Cross for his bravery in the Normandy landings. Although his personal life was marked by tumultuous relationships and struggles, Glover's energy remained unwavering in his written correspondence. This collection invites readers to reassess and deepen their understanding of a figure often misunderstood, moving beyond the caricatures to reveal the complex individual beneath. Whether you are a scholar of New Zealand literature or simply a lover of powerful storytelling, this book offers an indispensable window into the mind of one of New Zealand's literary titans.

Author: Sarah Shieff Publisher: Otago University Press
Bind: hardback
Dimensions: 230 x 150 mm
Pages: 800


Oh Christ, a bloody ˝ witted student, for purposes of an essay, has just come in to ask me what I and Baxter write verse for, and if we mean what we say, or is there something deeper; could we write better verse in England, or here; or do the critics and professors just read a lot into what’s said that isn’t there? So much. And I have been very rude indeed. - Letter to John Reece Cole, 16 August 1949 Nothing about this excerpt from a letter by Denis Glover will surprise anyone who knows him by reputation. He - and his letters - could be witty, intelligent, alarmingly frank and frequently highly entertaining. A widely admired poet, honoured naval commander, gifted printer and typographer, Denis Glover was founder of the Caxton Press in Christchurch. For 15 years from 1935 he directed a publishing programme that did much to define New Zealand literature for its day, and for much of the rest of the century. His literary work was suspended for war service in the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy, during which he earned a DSC for his activities in the Normandy landings. But he was also a serial philanderer and prodigious drinker, and his private life increasingly disintegrated around him, more and more publicly. And yet his energy as a correspondent appeared never to wane, and almost to the end he confided openly, prolifically and entertainingly to hundreds of acquaintances and confidants. In this magnificent volume Sarah Shieff presents around 500 of Glover’s letters to around 110 people, drawn from an archive of nearly 3000 letters to over 430 recipients. Many now recall Glover as little more than a misogynistic old fart, a court jester. These letters should give readers the opportunity to revise - or at least complicate - those dismissive categorisations.