Ian Collins: Blythe Spirit – launch – Book Hive, Norwich

Celebrate the paperback publication of Ian Collins’ extraordinary biography of writer and essayist Ronald Blythe.

Ronald Blythe (1922-2023), author of the inimitable Akenfield, was a prolific and poetic chronicler of rural and spiritual life, nature and literature. He spent a joyful century close to his Suffolk roots, time travelling in his imagination and publishing forty books and thousands of essays. His wide creative network included John and Christine Nash, Cedric Morris, Benjamin Britten, E.M. Forster, Patricia Highsmith and Richard Mabey. From finding Thomas Hardy in February rain and John Clare in country tracks, to talking to his white cat and reading through a dragonfly’s wings, the Blythe gift was to marvel in the everyday.

His writing was intimate, meditative and often laced with a wry humour, inviting readers to share his enchanting perspective on the world. Yet few knew the ‘real’ Ronald Blythe. Leaving school at 14, he educated himself in libraries, churches and walks in the East Anglian landscape. He never spoke about early poverty and traumatic experience in the war, while his sexuality was kept private except from those closest to him.

Drawing on unparalleled access to letters, notebooks, published works, drafts, and conversations from decades of friendship, Blythe Spirit tells the full story of Ronald for the first time. The result is a sensitive, revelatory portrait which celebrates a fascinating, complex man and casts new light on one of our greatest writers.

Ian will be in conversation with author and Guardian journalist (and friend of the shop!) Patrick Barkham. After their chat, there’ll be time for an audience Q&A and book signing.

Ian Collins: Blythe Spirit
Thursday 13th November 2025
The Book Hive, Norwich
Doors 6:30pm for a 7:00pm start
FREE (but a suggested donation of £2 to help cover wine and heating is most welcome)