Christopher A Faraone

Edward Upward (1903–2009) was a British writer recognized for his extensive literary career, which spanned more than eight decades. Initially known for his surrealist style within the Auden Group, his writing took a turn towards Marxist realism after he joined the Communist Party of Great Britain in the 1930s. He was a teacher for much of his life, retiring in 1961 to focus on his writing.

Upward's literary output included novels and short stories, with a significant autobiographical trilogy, 'The Spiral Ascent,' exploring the intersection of artistic creation and political commitment. His early life involved friendships with notable figures like Christopher Isherwood, W. H. Auden, and Stephen Spender, with whom he co-created the surreal world of Mortmere. Despite a period of creative block and a nervous breakdown, he continued to write, returning to short stories in his later years. He received recognition late in life, including a Fellowship of the Royal Society of Literature.

Born in 1903, Edward Upward's early literary endeavors began during his school years, with his first published pieces appearing in the school magazine. His time at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, was pivotal, where he collaborated with Christopher Isherwood to invent the fictional town of Mortmere. This surreal creation served as a critique of the upper-class milieu they encountered at university. During this period, Upward also connected with W. H. Auden and Stephen Spender, forging friendships that would be significant throughout his life. His early work was characterized by imaginative surrealism, which gained attention within literary circles like the Auden Group.

Upward's engagement with politics profoundly influenced his writing. In the early 1930s, he joined the Communist Party of Great Britain, a decision that marked a significant shift in his literary focus towards Marxist realism. This ideological commitment informed his first novel, 'Journey to the Border,' published in 1938, which depicted a tutor's awakening to the struggles of the working class. His political activities led to him and his wife being investigated by MI5 during World War II. Although they left the Communist Party in 1948, believing it had lost its revolutionary edge, Upward remained dedicated to socialist ideals throughout his life.

Following a period of creative difficulty and a nervous breakdown in the early 1950s, during which he destroyed much of his earlier surrealist work, Upward began his autobiographical trilogy, 'The Spiral Ascent.' This series, published after his retirement, chronicled the journey of a fictional poet grappling with political commitment and artistic expression. The final volume incorporated autobiographical recollections inspired by Marcel Proust. In his later decades, Upward returned to writing short stories and saw reprints of his earlier works. He continued to be interviewed about his life and his associations with prominent literary figures until shortly before his death at the age of 105.