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.