May 1935

Throughout May, Graves works on the Claudius film version, including 15,000 words of background information. He also goes over the proofs of Riding's Progress of Stories (a collection of short fiction, which is sent off to the publisher later in the month) and drafts the poem "A Foreign Land" (which he will later tear up).
Constable writes, agreeing to undertake distribution for Seizin Press. Edward Marsh writes to let Graves know he has won the Hawthornden Prize for I, Claudius, and asks him if he will be able to attend the award ceremony in England; Graves sends his regrets. The last pages of the Epilogue proofs are finished and sent to the printer, with Len Lye's "Film-Making" added at the last minute.
Graves and Riding have a number of discussions with German friends and acquaintances living in Deyá about Hitler and the prospect of a conflict between Fascism and Communism. Graves and Riding are in sympathy with the political left, but long talks on the subject are both exhausting and discouraging. It doesn't help that the weather for much of the first half of the month is muggy and close. Riding suffers a bad case of dysentery, and Graves' mood is low.
Then, mid-month, Graves and Riding hear the horrifying news of T. E. Lawrence's accident; the diary reflects Graves' distress as he attempts to find out more from Spanish news reports, which are not detailed enough, not in English or do not mention the accident. He must rely on telegrams from colleagues and friends in England. He submits Lawrence's obituary to literary agent Eric Pinker on the condition that it not be used unless Lawrence dies. When Lawrence succumbs to his injuries after several days, the obituary is published in the Evening Standard, and Graves notes that other papers request reprint rights. The obituary attracts the attention of Basil Liddell-Hart, who will later collaborate with Graves on a T. E. Lawrence book project. Korda writes to inquire if Graves will write a film script about T. E. Lawrence - Graves says he will, as long as the Lawrence Trustees agree.
Honor Wyatt writes to confirm her arrival on 22 May with Gordon Glover, the newborn Julian and Mary Phillips. She will also bring the provisions Graves and Riding have requested from England (toiletries, beads, et cetera). The visit is welcome after the heartache of Lawrence's death, and the friends spend time on the beach and in the sun, as the weather improves.