Myers' Literary Guide: The North East Book

From the opening line of his Introduction to the final entry in this fascinating Guide, Alan Myers proves a passionate champion of the hitherto unsung literary heritage in the North East of England. His tireless research and committed personal approach produce a compendium which will delight and surprise even those who are expert in the field. This treasure-house includes Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, the Lake poets, Forster and Conrad, Auden and Larkin, no fewer than nine authors of classic children's stories, six pioneer feminists, a great French revolutionary, Portugal's leading novelist, a Pope and a Roman Emperor, not to mention two scribbling relatives of the Queen Mother. Alan Myers has long been a persuasive opponent of what he calls 'the Christmas stocking view of England - that all the good things must eventually find their way to the bottom right-hand corner'. Here he redresses the balance for literature, pointing out more places of interest on the North East map than there are Wedgwood plaques in the heart of London.