Ted Hughes on Literary Life

The Telegraph has serialized excerpts of Ted Hughes' letters (coming out soon in book form!). Here's a favourite of mine:

And 'literary life’, closely examined, turns out to be a chance juxtaposition of individuals who wish to be known as “writers” held in a semblance of community by the watchfulness of their mutual envy and malice.

To enter 'literary life’ is in fact to enter a small windowless cell, empty, under a stunning spotlight, and left to your own devices in the knowledge that millions of invisible eyes are watching through the walls. It’s not 'life’ at all, you see. And it cuts you off from life.

True dat.