‘Phillipson first began drawing when he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis – and, despite his illness, never stopped writing to his son. Marvellously decorated with characterful pen-and-ink drawings, Letters to Michael is testament to a bygone era when snow fell thick, real pennies were squirrelled in plum puddings and letter-writing sketched the true contours of a relationship.’ Telegraph, The 75 Best Books of 2021
We are absolutely delighted to report that copies of our recently published Special Release – Letters to Michael: a father writes to his son 1945–1947 – have been flying out of Foxed HQ to readers around the world this month, many of them gift wrapped in good brown paper with hand-written notes to be opened on Christmas Day. This is thanks, in part, to glowing write-ups by Bel Mooney for the Daily Mail and Iona McLaren for the Telegraph a few weeks ago, and inclusion in a round-up of the very best books for 2021 by Telegraph critics this weekend. Thanks too to our bookselling friends at Daunt, John Sandoe, Hatchards and to many other wonderful independent shopkeepers up and down the country who have been creating delicious-looking displays featuring the book, pressing it into the hands of customers and selecting it for their seasonal catalogues.
We hope that those of you who have already received your books are as enchanted by the letters as we all are. If you’d like to order a copy of Letters to Michael – or two or three or four or more! – for yourself or as seasonal gifts for friends or relations, you can click here to view the book and place your order or, if you prefer, do call the office (Monday–Friday, 9:30am–5:30pm) on +44 (0) 20 7033 0258 to place your order.
Scroll through the newsletter for snippets of the various press articles and to hear more of our specially recorded clips of the actor Nigel Anthony reading a selection of the letters.
With best wishes, as ever, from the SF office staff
Jennie, Anna, Hattie, Jess & Iona