What does it mean to talk about good and evil today? According to Nicholas Mosley—the novelist and son of Oswald Mosley, leader of the British Union of Fascists—it means writing off large swathes of contemporary literary culture as pointless and trying to repopulate the empty heavens beneath which most British literature now takes place.
In the new issue of Prospect, Edward Skidelsky writes about his recent meeting with Mosley, and describes the restlessness that has marked both the latter’s life and writing. A non-realist author, Mosley is acutely aware of the limitations of words, but fascinated by the insights they can propel readers towards: in his case, a morality that is at once highly religious and yet outside of the traditional polarities of good and evil.
If it sounds tortuous, that’s because it is—but it’s also a suggestive alternative to the idea that literature should no longer have any “meaning” beyond its style and fidelity to actuality. Read the piece and let us know what you think here.
I read and enjoyed the Skidelsky article. This reminds me of a certain aspect of Bonfire of the Vanities. I haven’t read Bonfire, but in the movie, the protagonist must tell a lie to prove his innocence in court. It’s a very interesting concept.
I amd not familiar with Mosley’s works (obviously) but I know For every million and a half monkeys there has to be ONE LION.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful essay. I look forward to reading the Mosley books that you mention. Perhaps because I am reading this article from the other side of the “pond,” I hear echoes of Emersonian Transcendentalism in Mr. Mosley’s philosophy, beautiful echoes, or should I say “circles.” And I also plan to read more of your writing, as well. Your 2006 Prospect article on Leo Strauss was one of the finest essays I have ever read — so informative and yet so stylish. Thanks, again, and thank you, too, to Mr. Mosley for daring to think originally.