Letters from Lucy Boston to Hilary Bourne. The letters are entirely personal in nature, although they often reference Lucy Boston's writing, and give an insight into Boston's life, her family and friends, her relationship with publishers and her reaction to reviews of her novels. The letters cover a wide range of topics and subjects, including a reference in 1954 to a 'devastating' first review, probably of 'The Children of Green Knowe'; details of the acceptance of a 'new book', probably 'The River at Green Knowe', for publication in America and in Britain circa 1958; a description in 1959 of her continuing to "haunt the gorilla at the zoo, trying to coax a book out of him" [the gorilla went on to appear in 'Stranger at Green Knowe']; several references to her son's illustrations for her books; reference circa 1964 to the publication of 'An Enemy at Green Knowe' and a 'heavenly' first review of the book; frequent references to the difficulties of getting much writing done when her work is interRupted by numerous visitors; reference in 1966 to 'The Children of Green Knowe' featuring on 'a dreadful programme called Jackanory'; references to the writing and publication of 'The Sea Egg'; reference to the publication of the play 'The Horned Man'; details, circa 1972, of her 80th birthday celebrations; and descriptions of the process of writing 'Memory in a House', circa 1972-1973, and the difficulties involved in writing a memoir. The letters also contain frequent references to gardening, and Boston's own efforts as a gardener; flooding and its effects on the Manor, Hemingford Grey, and the surrounding area; her children and grandchildren; various guests at the Manor; and petrol shortages and electricity cuts in the early 1970s.
Some of the letters have been previously numbered in pencil with museum object numbers. These object numbers were assigned by Ditchling Museum - see collection level description for further information.