By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept by Elizabeth Smart

Originally published in 1945, this book of poetic prose encapsulates former journalist Elizabeth Smart's relationship with poet George Barker. 'About this title' may belong to another edition of this title.īook Description Paperback. In 1963 she became literary and associate editor of Queen magazine but subsequently dropped out of the literary scene to live quietly in a remote part of Suffolk. Originally published in 1945, this remarkable work is now widely recognized as a classic work of poetic prose which has retained all of its searing poignancy, beauty and power of impact.Īfter the war, Elizabeth Smart supported herself and her family with journalism and advertising work. They never married but Elizabeth bore George Barker four children and their relationship provided the impassioned inspiration for one of the most moving and immediate chronicles of a love affair ever writtten- By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept.

Thus began one of the most extraordinary, intenese and ultimately tragic love affairs of our time.

Eventually they communicated directly and, as a result of Barker's impecunious circumstances, Elizabeth Smart flew both him and his wife to the United States.

One day, while browsing in a London bookshop, she chanced upon a slim volume of poetry by George Barker-and fell passionately in love with him through the printed word. She was educated at private schools in Canada and for a year at King's College, University of London. 'I doubt if there are half a dozen such masterpieces in the world.' - Brigid Brophy About the Author:Įlizabeth Smart was born in Ottawa,Canada, in 1913. to move the reader, and even to awe him.' - London Review of Books 'The emotion, the true and abject affliction, conics through. This short, powerful work had a profound influence on rue and was one of the factors that made me want to be a writer.' - Beryl Bainbridge 'Constructed as a single, sustained climax, it is like a cry of ecstasy which, without changing volume or pitch, becomes a cry of agony.' - Spectator 'Explores a passion between a man and two women, one of them his wife - a love both despairing and triumphant upon which the reader may gaze, awed, appalled, or even, perhaps, envious.' - The Times And he or she recognizes an emotion essential and permanent to us.' - Michael Ondaatje 'At some point every good reader comes across By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept. 'Like Madame Bovary blasted by lightening.

By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept by Elizabeth Smart