T. E. Lawrence Correspondence – Page 79

To John Brophy, Kelvin House, King Edwards Road, Ruislip, Middlesex Plymouth 21.iii.33 Dear J.B. It is not very good to try to argue a technical or literary problem by letter. You do not like the Falcon; I do, intensely. You think it below the belt, I think it fair; let us leave it at that. There are so many later books -- though I cannot put "Napoleon Passes" amongst them. It seems to me a mean performance; he niggles all through. And it is dull - I had four tries before I finished it. A pity, for O'Riordan is better than that. Napoleon was better, too! My R.A.F. troubles? Well, they are not yet resolved, and till I know what will happen I needn't waste your time discussing possibilities. Probably I shall leave the force, and then will revel very homeless for a while; but I shall be trying to lie still and rest, so that your very kind suggestion of Liverpool may not bear fruit. I have had 11 years in the ranks now -- since 1922 -- and it was pleasure, not penance. A man who has done all the things he wants can get his pleasure between the Wells of living. The Evening Standard's gossip writer has had several vicious goes at me. I do not know who he is, but when I am in London I buy his paper and read it with my (equally bought) tea; and I like his writing. Clearly he doesn't like mine. I should have said "murmurous" rather than "precious" as a description of my style? No truth in stories of my wanting to get elsewhere, or of any bother in camp here. They leave me to my own sweet will; and I get on well with them all. Yours T.E.Shaw