Obscure Locks, Simple Keys

Knowlson cites (311) Frederick Warburg’s response to Richard Watt (October 1946): “Puns would be too easy but the book itself is too difficult. It shows an immense mental vitality, an outrageous metaphysical skill, and a very fine talent for writing. It may be that in turning this book down we are turning down a potential James Joyce. What is it that this Dublin air does to these writers?”