Peake’s Progress Selected Writings and Drawings of Mervyn Peake

Peake’s Progress Selected Writings and Drawings of Mervyn Peake, authored by Mervyn Peake and published by Penguin in 1981, presents a comprehensive collection of his diverse literary and artistic works. This 576-page edition showcases selections compiled by Peake’s widow, Maeve Gilmore, encompassing various forms from his prolific career, including short stories, poems, and drawings, alongside notable pieces from his childhood and early writings.

Readers will discover a rich tapestry of Peake’s creativity, featuring works such as The White Chief of the Umzimbooboo Kaffirs and Mr. Slaughterboard, which hint at themes explored in his later Titus books. The collection also includes plays like The Wit to Woo and Noah’s Ark, as well as a broadcast version of Mr. Pye. This edition is further enhanced by a new preface from Peake’s son, Sebastian, marking the centenary of the author’s birth and providing additional context to his multifaceted contributions to art and literature.