The Hitch comes home

14 August 2010

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Matthew Adams joins the charming, generous, bibulous Christopher Hitchens for a rare tour of his native countryside and a splendid lunch

I met up with Christopher Hitchens in the smaller hours of a warm morning in May, at Heathrow airport. (This was Christopher’s idea. ‘See you at Heathrow,’ he had told me.) From Heathrow we were to drive together to Bath, where he had a speaking engagement that evening to promote his new (and great) memoir, Hitch-22. When Christopher trudged into view he looked as I knew he would look: the Hitchens-style suit; that dolphin-like face; that dirty-grey fringe. And as he stood alone in the queasy light of Arrivals he gave the impression of a raffish (and impressively bibulous) don. Christopher? ‘Ah, my dear chap. How good of you to come. Now, I must have some tea. Do you know somewhere?’ We made our way to the on-site pub. I ordered a gin and tonic. Christopher addressed himself to a Bloody Mary (‘not bad’) and a bacon sandwich (‘obscene’).

Once settled in the car, I asked Christopher about the reception his memoir had received in the UK. ‘Yeah, I know. I mean here it’s absolutely extraordinary. You can actually apply to a literary editor saying, “Look, you probably know I have a vendetta against this person — could I be the reviewer of their book?” And the editor will say “Sure! That’s fine!” It’s amazing. I mean, this guy Tibor Fischer. Now what qualifies him to be the reviewer of my memoir? I just don’t — I don’t — understand it. The magazine has to know that Tibor Fischer is a very, very declared and venomous enemy who, as far as I know, knows nothing about me. Or the subjects I write about. I was actually, I have to say, just very slightly shocked by that.’

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joe reynolds

August 12th, 2010 1:34pm Report this comment

Very moving article. I'm a fifty three year old painter and decorator with a passion for reading. The Hitch has lead me to so many authors, thinkers, philosophers and poets I wouldn't normally have sought out. I am convinced I am now only as thick as one short plank instead of two because of his influence. He will live for ever in my head and in the heads of my free-thinking children.
Love you, Fellow Traveller.

Geoffrey D

August 12th, 2010 8:03pm Report this comment

Hitchens is very generous to his readers. Throughout his books, he invites us to follow up on sources that he has read and enjoyed. I take his friendly advice when I can and Amazon.com loves me for it. I'm expanding my library based on suggestions by Christopher Hitchens. How satisfying!

JP VESEY

August 12th, 2010 10:11pm Report this comment

I just hope so very much that we are not about to lose the worlds most important journalist. how many journos have a shard of his unimpeachable integrity and thirst for truth. answer: pretty much none, please recover christopher, its not beyond you yet sir!!!!!

Jonathan Matthews

August 13th, 2010 12:11am Report this comment

Mr Hitchens is a redoubtable champion of Enlightenment (and civilised) values. His generosity of spirit and intellect - so ably captured in this piece - will continue to inspire affection and bring him the sympathy, support, and best wishes of his many admirers and friends.