The Starlight Years. Love & War at Kelmscott Manor 1940-1948 by Joscelyn Godwin

Dorset, England: The Dovecote Press Ltd., 2015. Softcover. A fascinating recounting of the complicated lives and romantic relationship of artists Edward and Stephani Scott-Godwin while living at Kelmscott Manor, as told through their letters and journals, here selected and explained by their younger son, Joscelyn Godwin. This is the story of how they fell in love with each other, Kelmscott Manor, and William Morris, whose home it was from 1871 until his death in 1896. The Godwins were the first permanent residents after the Morris family. While living at Kelmscott Manor, Edward and Stephani created an aesthetic and produced a body of figuative painting unique for its time. Illustrations of their works are printed throughout the book, both in color and black and white. Softcover bound in dark blue with white spine titling and illustrations to front and back covers. In fine condition.

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From a reviewer: Artists and writers Stefani and Edward took their love for Edmund Morris, the Pre-Raphaelites, and the Arts & Crafts movement as far as any fanboy or girl could take them. They had the good fortune to reside at Kelmscott Manor just as WWII broke out, and lived there, quite insulated from the outside world, for almost eight years, drawing and painting and writing at a fever pitch, under the influence of their environment, their intense attraction to each other and their use of a variety of substances, particularly benzedrine, or "starlight." The result was a frequently brilliant visual and narrative ouevre, some it lost. Nevertheless, it's well worth our gaze into Joscelyn Godwin's descriptions and explanations, accompanied by black&white and color plates. During their self-imposed art and writing "retreat," the couple also produced two sons, both of whom they gave up for "open" adoption, so involved were they with their art and book projects.

Although one reviewer understandably characterizes the Godwins' escapist venture as "icky," the book's author guides us through the whys and wherefores of their circumstances beautifully. He is scholarly but never prolix, and immensely kind to his wayward parents; would that we all were as compassionate. Buy the book. You'll enjoy it.