It is also a volume of chatter and snippets that communicate in passing the lives of two working writers, whose own lives cross the lives of other working writers, creative minds and historical and political participants. It encapsulates an era in their possibly expansive if narrow milieu. And of their internationalism. Both Pinter and Frazer are engaged with what is going on in the world, and it matters to them.
As a record of the mind of Pinter, I would suggest that you revert to his work, however it does give you a sense of his persona, not as exclusively serious as his media image or work might infer. Though I think anyone who watched the wonderful two-part ‘Arena’ documentary about him, would have already gleaned this. Harold was a fine mind, a serious thinker, and a fully rounded human being.
What does this volume communicate of Antonia Frazer? It tells us relatively little of her as a writer, although the mention of some of her work is there. It does though show a woman with a deep capacity for appreciating the qualities of those around her. Almost everyone she meets she taps into their core and takes pleasure in their company. Even the difficult people, like her own ‘dada’. She isn’t a surface person, and enjoys and has a powerful capacity for friendship. Both she and Pinter were very definitely social beings, whilst their work and personalities also demand intense concentration and solitude as a counterpoint.
The final part of the book is unavoidably weighted with sadness at Pinter’s diagnosis, and subsequent decline. It offers a testimony to his courage and fortitude that he survives seven years and for many of those years remains as active as his body permits him.
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