Follow these Writers...in KENT
A Handbook for Literary Detectives
by
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Have you ever wished you had a knowledgeable friend willing to guide you round the places that inspired your favourite writers? If you have already read our earlier book ‘Follow these Writers...in SUSSEX’ you will know that this series is the answer. Each book takes you around a specific county, along main roads and off beaten tracks, down country lanes and back streets, uncovering fascinating information about writers in that area. Charles Dickens will always be closely identified with Kent and there are many suggestions here for following him around the county he loved. Recent research has uncovered a darker side to his life (why was Mrs Dickens the only significant person not invited to her daughter’s wedding near Rochester?) and this is worth exploring. Just follow the clues. What a remarkable collection of writers come from Kent. Who would have thought that the first career choice of one of the twentieth century’s greatest playwrights was as a lighthouse keeper? What a loss to drama it would have been if his application to run the North Foreland lighthouse near Broadstairs had been successful. (The Isle of Thanet chapter has his identity and the full story). A surprising number of Kent writers led secret lives as spies. Canterbury’s Christopher Marlowe died aged 29 in a ‘pub brawl’. Many now believe that it was actually a ‘contract killing’; the alleged double agent was becoming too unreliable. Also born near Canterbury was Aphra Benn, the first English woman to become a professional novelist. She became a spy for Charles II. In the twentieth century Somerset Maugham’s work for HM’s Secret Service is well known. Ian Fleming wrote the James Bond novels while living in St Margaret’s Bay and the Dover chapter contains suggestions on following a 007 trail around Kent, many locations appearing in the novels. In fact Fleming loved the county so much he also found inspiration in it for a popular children’s story which was to become an even more popular musical. Read all about that too in the Dover chapter.
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About the Book
Follow these Writers…in KENT Ever wished you had a knowledgeable friend who could help you find out more about the places that inspired your favourite writers? This book is that friendly guide around Kent, along main roads and off beaten tracks, along country lanes and coastal paths. Whether you are on holiday in Kent or lucky enough to live in the Garden of England, dip into this book to find out more about the colourful writers, Men of Kent and Kentish Men (not forgetting some very significant Maids of Kent and Kentish Maids) who have been inspired by this beautiful county. Enjoy your travels!
About the Author
Meet the team: two like-minded couples sharing a passion for literature and travel. Following writers is their idea of heaven. Judith Bastide - the principal author, was Head of English at a prestigious South Coast girls school (famous Old Girls include actress Prunella Scales and writer Rumer Godden). Judith is an enthusiastic literary detective who has dragged her long suffering husband and family around the county, tracking its writers. This book should make it easier for fellow addicts. Michael Rich - a retired dentist and an avid reader, he was the collator of the various book chapters. He did proof reading, main editing of the text and corrected typos. He was responsible for liaising with the publishers, taking the photographs, the website and all other IT work. Derek Bastide - a former university lecturer and currently school inspector with many books and articles to his credit. This book would never have been possible without his navigational skills driving his wife, Judith, through the country lanes of Kent. We are very grateful! Gillian Rich - a mathematician and former school librarian. She is the author of several maths text books and is involved with online publishing, as well as being passionate about the arts. Gillian was the originator of this project.