I was sorry to hear of the death of Leslie Thomas who was an enormously popular writer from the publication of his first novel The Virgin Soldiers in 1966. He was a bitingly funny and poignant writer. Virgin Soldiers was perhaps his most popular work, made into a film; but one of my favourites was Tropic of Ruislip, a social comedy about London suburban life, keenly observed and bitterly funny. I met him when I published my first novel and was invited to a launch party by my publishers (Penguin) and Mr Thomas - a very eminent author in that world - took the trouble to greet me. He said Congratulations. Theres room for all of us. At the time, I thought this was generous and warm, I was later to learn that it was exceptional. Few authors celebrate the success of others - it can be a competitive business. But Leslie Thomas who had written his way out of poverty, had an expansive loving spirit and a joy of life too great for meanness. I learned three things from him - that the trivial things of life may contain great significance, to be generous and welcoming to new authors, and the filthiest joke that I have ever heard. To this day I cannot repeat it, but it made us both laugh so much that we clung together sniggering. Bless him.
Posted on: Thu, 08 May 2014 11:09:38 +0000
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