Appreciation …

… Homage to Tom Stoppard | The Hudson Review. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)

Stoppard emerges in this book not only as a good man, but as a person interested in goodness yet undeceived about human folly. Lee only briefly allows for perceived flaws in his character: “One grand old woman of the world, an old friend of his, said to me: ‘Beware of the charm.’ A theatre director noted that he used his politeness to get what he wanted from people. . . . Another described him as completely, icily alone, a solitary.” In short, a man of some reserve, an artist who has had to pursue his art among other people even when his personal inclinations are to remain private. But it’s what he has given us in spite of everything that matters, Lee concludes: “A famous writer, who loves him dearly, said: ‘He is one of the most important people in the world.’”