Books Do Furnish A Room
"Books Do Furnish A Room" by Anthony Powell gives the first real introduction into the London literary scene that Nick Jenkins has supposedly been a part of for many years. Jenkins is working for a magazine with the title of "Fission". Almost all of the characters affiliated with the literary fiction racket in some way, or even other genres based upon political interests, or wish to publish memoirs.
The tenth novel in the series of novels "A Dance to the Music of Time" introduces man of letters, X. Trapnel. The novel requires a fair amount of exposition in terms of catching up with the large cast of characters and explaining their movements around, and location within, the post-war metropolis. The function of Jenkins in the novel is provide a point of useful view of relations, without which the designs of the author might appear too obvious. Jenkins also acts as confidante, to, amongst others, Trapnel and Pamela Widmerpool. Pamela, is cast as a femme fatale. She takes an unexpected interest in the literary career of Trapnel. J.G. Quiggin and Craggs play a part in the novel, which is to publish Trapnel's books. Finding the manuscript of his unpublished novel, Profiles of Spring, in the canal at Maida Vale, Trapnel returns his swordstick to the water:
"Then an extraordinary thing happened. Trapnel was still standing by the edge of the water holding the dripping sheet of foolscap. Now he crushed it into his hand, and threw the ball of paper back into the Canal. He lifted the swordstick behind his head, and, putting all his force into the throw, cast it as far as this would carry, high into the air. The stick turned and descended, death's head first. A mystic arm should certainly have risen from the dark waters of the mere to receive it."
Maida Vale and Little Venice
Maida Vale is a residential district of London situated between St John's Wood and Kilburn. The Regent's Canal continues south past Paddington Railway Station. At the time, Anthony Powell, describes the area, it was yet to develop into a something of a quartier chic as later incarnated.
