Philip Hensher

Charles Williams: sadist or Rosicrucian saint?

The third (and weirdest) Inkling, the subject of Grevel Lindop’s biography, became a Thirties cult phenomenon, championed by T.S. Eliot as well as by Tolkein and C.S. Lewis

issue 14 November 2015

Charles Williams was a bad writer, but a very interesting one. Most famous bad writers have to settle, like Sidney Sheldon, for the millions and the made-for-TV adaptations and the trophy wife. Williams had a following, and in the 1930s and 1940s some highly respected literary figures declared him to be a genius.

GIF Image

Disagree with half of it, enjoy reading all of it

TRY A MONTH FREE
Our magazine articles are for subscribers only. Try a month of Britain’s best writing, absolutely free.

Comments

Join the debate, free for a month

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first month free.

Already a subscriber? Log in