Record Number: 30939

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Reading Experience:

Evidence:

'I have been reading a bunch of modern plays published by Benn. Some of them seem to me to be very good and to strike a very real and human note. What do you think of the "Fanatics"? It took me by the throat as an expression of what, in general terms, I also think. I'm not sure that it is a play, in the sense that it would be good on the stage. I have sent for two new plays by O'Neill — if there's anything else you think remarkable, you might tell me. One is apt to miss even outstanding things when one is guided only by reviews.
I read when I come home after lunch. I've had 6 steady hours of work and I'm tired, and besides it's too hot to do much. So I read myself to sleep, if I can, for an hour and then go on reading till it's time to swim.'

Century:

1900-1945

Date:

Between 25 Jun 1924 and 2 Jul 1924

Country:

Iraq (Mesopotamia)

Time

afternoon

Place:

city: Baghdad
specific address: own residence
location in dwelling

Type of Experience
(Reader):
 

silent aloud unknown
solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown

Type of Experience
(Listener):
 

solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown

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Reader / Listener / Reading Group:

Reader:

Gertrude Bell

Age:

Adult (18-100+)

Gender:

Female

Date of Birth:

16 Jul 1868

Socio-Economic Group:

Gentry

Occupation:

Linguist, traveller, archaeologist, intelligence officer and Middle East political advisor

Religion:

originally Christian (Anglican) by now declared atheist

Country of Origin:

England

Country of Experience:

Iraq (Mesopotamia)

Listeners present if any:
e.g family, servants, friends

n/a

Additional Comments:

n/a

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Text Being Read:

Author:

Miles Malleson

Title:

The Fanatics

Genre:

Drama

Form of Text:

Print: Book

Publication Details

London: W.Benn, 1924

Provenance

unknown

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Source Information:

Record ID:

30939

Source - Manuscript:

Other

Information:

Gertude Bell Archive, Newcastle University http://www.gerty.ncl.ac.uk/

Additional Information:

Letter from Gertrude Bell to Florence Bell, 2 July 1924 http://www.gerty.ncl.ac.uk/letter_details.php?letter_id=733

Citation:

Gertude Bell Archive, Newcastle University http://www.gerty.ncl.ac.uk/, http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/reading/UK/record_details.php?id=30939, accessed: 09 May 2025

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Additional Comments:

None of the other plays read have been identified. The detail submitted with this entry provides evidence of how reliant Gertrude Bell was on reviews of books, and her pattern of reading in high summer in a very hot climate.