3 Review(s)

Francis Brett Young (1884-1954) was one of the most prolific and successful authors of his era. His thirty novels and four collections of stories were published in more than two hundred editions and eleven languages, and were adapted for film and radio. At his peak Brett Young's novels sold half a million copies and he was the preferred author of Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin. In addition there were three volumes of poetry (one selling almost thirty thousand copies in ten weeks), three non-fiction books and three published plays, with many others also performed. Today, the name and work of Francis Brett Young are on the verge of obscurity. His novels, influenced by Scott, Dickens, Hardy and Bennett, are out of print and his poetry is seldom anthologised. In this welcome study, Michael Hall tells the story of Brett Young's life and career. A doctor and soldier who became a bestselling - and prize-winning - novelist, his rise and fall are also a commentary on literary fashion and the decline of the Empire, which brought with it changes in thought and taste. Retired Deputy Head Teacher Michael Hall is Vice Chairman of the Francis Brett Young Society and a native of Brett Young's Hales Owen.