The Letters of Noël Coward edited by Barry Day

“In 1949, Noël Coward wrote to his childhood friend Esme Wynne, who was trying to get him to find God: “My philosophy is as simple as ever. I love smoking, drinking, moderate sexual intercourse on a diminishing scale, reading and writing (not arithmetic). I have a selfless absorption in the well-being and achievements of Noël Coward… In spite of my unregenerate spiritual attitude, I am jolly kind to everybody and still attentive and devoted to my dear old Mother.” This seems a fair appraisal. His kindness is much in evidence in his letters, as well as his devotion to his mother, but he remained resolutely “shallow” and unwilling to be drawn on serious topics.’ Read the review at the London Telegraphy.