At Hatchard's, on Piccadilly

 


1995. To capitalize on the success of Four Weddings and a Funeral, Vintage brought out "Tell Me the Truth about Love: 10 Poems by W.H. Auden" It included Auden's 'Funeral Blues,' which had been read so beautifully by John Hannah in the movie. A small pamphlet really, it featured a photo of Hugh Grant on the cover.


I was working at Hatchard's in London at the time. There was a display of the book next to the cash register. The customer I was waiting on, incapable of looking at anything in any way other than 'down on,' scoffed. "Well that's disgusting! Putting  a Hollywood star on the cover to sell the sublime poetry of Auden!" She paid for her highbrow and unsullied choices and left.


As it happened, the next person in line, was Valerie Eliot, the widow of T.S. She picked up a copy, ran her finger over the picture of Grant and said "Oh, I don't think Wystan would have minded at all!"

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