Of Love and Hunger explained

Of Love and Hunger is a novel by Julian MacLaren-Ross, first published in the United Kingdom in 1947 by Allan Wingate. The novel was based on MacLaren-Ross' time as a vacuum cleaner salesman.^[1]

Plot summary

Richard Fanshawe sells vacuum cleaners for a living and has an unhappy love affair with Sukie, the wife of his friend.

Reception

John Self of The Times praised it, calling it a "comic masterpiece" and praising the style of the narration.^[2] D. J. Taylor, writing for The Guardian described Of Love and Hunger as the "one indisputed masterpiece" of MacLaren-Ross.^[1] Elizabeth Bowen stated that the novel proved that MacLaren-Ross was "a writer of the first rank".^[1]

BBC broadcast Of Love And Hunger on Book at Bedtime in October 2016.^[3]

Notes and References

1. News: Taylor . D. J. . D. J. Taylor (writer) . DJ Taylor: rereading Julian Maclaren-Ross . 25 November 2024 . The Guardian . 7 December 2012.
2. News: Self . John . Of Love and Hunger by Julian Maclaren-Ross review — an absolute blast . 25 November 2024 . . 16 November 2024 . en.
3. Web site: BBC Radio 4 - Book at Bedtime, Julian MacLaren-Ross - Of Love and Hunger, Episode 1 . BBC . 25 November 2024.