Song of Love: The Letters of Rupert Brooke and Noel Olivier, 1909-1915

Here is a treasure and a revelation: the passionate and inspiring love letters of World War I poet Rupert Brooke and a feisty young woman, Noel Olivier - edited by Noel's granddaughter - that provide a romantic portrait of Edwardian and Bloomsbury England. Rupert Brooke met Noel Olivier in 1908. She was fifteen and he was twenty. The budding poet was captivated on sight by the shy, intelligent schoolgirl and began to shower her with highly charged and exuberant letters, which continued to flow until Rupert's untimely death during World War I. While very much the modern young Englishwoman, Noel was undoubtedly overwhelmed to be the object of the poet's romantic passion and replied with painstaking honesty and astonishing verve. When he's patronizing, "I can't think of any delightful books you would understand", she's reproving and feisty, "Perhaps you thought I hadn't heard of Shakespeare, but I have". Song of Love presents their rich and illuminating exchange. A literary find of rare value, these fascinating letters cast new light on the Fabian and Bloomsbury milieus, allow a deeper understanding of Rupert Brooke's life and writing, and reveal the true nature of the mysterious young woman who was the first and most enduring love of his life and who went on to become the most prominent pediatrician of her era. Handsomely designed and produced, this collection of never-before-published correspondence has been edited by Pippa Harris, the granddaughter of Noel Olivier. Song of Love provides a precious glimpse into the passions and poetry of turn-of-the-century England - and into the hearts of all young lovers who, through words, can make their love magical.