On the strength of novels such as Futility and The Polyglots, William Gerhardie was hailed as the most brilliant writer of the 1920s, admired by Graham Greene, Evelyn Waugh, Olivia Manning and many others.Yet by 1940 he had ceased to publish, and increasingly towards the end of his life he lived as a recluse.In this acclaimed biography first published in 1990 Dido Davies rediscovers one of the most unjustly neglected of English writers, whose tragi-comic vision reflected his extraordinary life. 'One of the most enjoyable biographies I have read for a long time.' Humphrey Carpenter, Sunday Times'One of the most important literary lives of the century.' Sean French, New Statesman'As engrossing as a well-packed novel.' William Trevor'A comic masterpiece.' Hilary Mantel, Guardian