Denton Welch

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Who likes Denton Welch? I can't believe his collected short stories have been out of print (at least in the U.S.) for so long. I suppose there is something "minor" about him, and he does whine, but I still think he's wonderful. It's been almost ten years since I read through his work, however. I never quite finished his journals, though I'd like to read them as well. I remember one entry which read something like: "I remember eating a mint in the United States."

― Rockist Scientist, Saturday, 23 November 2002 19:31 (twenty-three years ago)

Exact Change Press has "In Youth Is Pleasure", "Voice Through a Cloud" and "Maiden Voyage". Never really checked them out but will someday soon.

― brg30 (brg30), Saturday, 23 November 2002 21:29 (twenty-three years ago)

I've only read Voice Through a Cloud, loved it. Didn't expect a book about the loneliness and frustration of recuperating from an accident to be so captivating. It's so detailed emotionally, but it never got boring. Keep meaning to get around to reading the others.

― Arthur (Arthur), Saturday, 23 November 2002 23:40 (twenty-three years ago)

His diaries - esp. the unexpurgated version - are grate, and I have a real nice edition of Voice Through a Cloud w/ Welch's own decorative borders etc. I got into him via Burroughs, who was a major Welch groupie.

― Andrew L (Andrew L), Sunday, 24 November 2002 10:27 (twenty-three years ago)

great I'm reading some burroughs. this is a nice follow up.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 24 November 2002 16:10 (twenty-three years ago)

In one edition of the Book of Lists, there is a list of Burroughs favorite writers. I think it includes Denton Welch. It definitely includes another great minor writer who means a lot more to me than some of the major ones: Jane Bowles.

Julio, don't expect Welch to be very similar to Burroughs.

I have some notebooks somewhere that include passages copied out of Welch, but my storage spaces in this apartment are virtally packed solid and I don't know which box they are in. I think Burroughs is very correct in pointing out Welch's ability to take very small matters and write about them compellingly.

In one of the short stories, the main character (probably just a young Denton Welch) has a stuffed animal or puppet, or something like that, with the name Lymph Est (if I recall correctly). That in itself is classic. Its has the authentic ring of childhood weirdness.

― Rockist Scientist, Sunday, 24 November 2002 17:11 (twenty-three years ago)

rockist- don't expect to.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 24 November 2002 20:45 (twenty-three years ago)

the exact change release of 'in youth is pleasure' also includes a wonderful short story called 'i left my grandfather's house'. a disturbingly beautiful story of a teenage solitary roadtrip.
in a way i would compare him to jd salinger. never to burroughs.

― joan vich (joan vich), Monday, 25 November 2002 08:29 (twenty-three years ago)

four years pass...

It's been years since I've read any of his books, but I'm still waiting for a reprint of his collected stories and his journals (although I never quite finished the latter). I know I could track down a used copy, but after 13 years of working in a decaying public library, I'm not too enthusiastic about collecting old books.

― Rockist Scientist, Sunday, 25 March 2007 12:04 (nineteen years ago)

Tartarus Press did a deluxe reprint quite recently - check their site.

― Soukesian, Sunday, 25 March 2007 13:13 (nineteen years ago)

two years pass...

I came across this piece by Alan Bennett. Voice through a cloud was one of my favourite reads this year, and now he comes to mind again as I'm read Proust. The sensations are all!

Really need a copy of the Journals but it seems to be out of print.

― xyzzzz__, Monday, 12 October 2009 15:57 (sixteen years ago)

two weeks pass...

should say 'as I'm reading Proust' above!

Jocelyn Brooke, anyone?

― xyzzzz__, Friday, 30 October 2009 10:43 (sixteen years ago)

Definitely Jocelyn Brooke. All the way. Just fantastic. Did a thing on him a while back, if you're interested

― 'virgin' should be 'wizard' (GamalielRatsey), Friday, 30 October 2009 11:26 (sixteen years ago)

Excellent - will have a go later!

― xyzzzz__, Friday, 30 October 2009 11:35 (sixteen years ago)

I went to the National Portrait Gallery to have a look at Denton Welch's self-portrait the other week. 'Oh, it's not up at the moment.' 'Oh, okay. Constant Lambert?' 'No. That's not up either.' 'Oh. Ok. Bye.'

― 'virgin' should be 'wizard' (GamalielRatsey), Friday, 30 October 2009 16:05 (sixteen years ago)

my favorite writer

― youn, Saturday, 31 October 2009 00:32 (sixteen years ago)

Well look at that, I have his complete short writings just over there. I should hazard a read, I dare say

― Niles Crane (Niles Caulder), Saturday, 31 October 2009 03:56 (sixteen years ago)

four years pass...

hot poundland tip, book fans:

https://twitter.com/oxfambooksfolks/status/516974077194809345

― john wahey (NickB), Tuesday, 30 September 2014 16:07 (eleven years ago)

@oxfambooksfolks Why, is it too good for Poundland customers to read? What exactly are you saying?

― xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 30 September 2014 17:30 (eleven years ago)

seven years pass...

reading "maiden voyage" now, it's great. read "voice through a cloud" a few years ago, also great. will read everything i can find by him at some point, i think.

― the coming of prince kajagoogoo (doo rag), Sunday, 17 April 2022 02:02 (three years ago)

The Diaries are my favourite.

― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 17 April 2022 09:36 (three years ago)

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