Books, Arts & Manners: Gargoyle and Stylist

Lytton Strachey: A Critical Biography By Michael Holroyd Two vols. Holt, $21.95

This unceasing double volume describes with unflagging but somewhat flogging zeal the years of Strachey’s literary achievement, though seemingly more totally devoted to that of Michael Holroyd—which no doubt is his intent. Seven hundred pages is too much. It does not appear that Holroyd ever saw or met Strachey on earth, but they must now descend hand-in-hand into Hades, which should suit them both. Nevertheless the book makes often grand, though often gross, reading.

SL

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Sir Shane Leslie

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Lytton Strachey: A Critical Biography By Michael Holroyd Two vols. Holt, $21.95

This unceasing double volume describes with unflagging but somewhat flogging zeal the years of Strachey’s literary achievement, though seemingly more totally devoted to that of Michael Holroyd—which no doubt is his intent. Seven hundred pages is too much. It does not appear that Holroyd ever saw or met Strachey on earth, but they must now descend hand-in-hand into Hades, which should suit them both. Nevertheless the book makes often grand, though often gross, reading.