S.A. Lunn

A magic window into a charmed and fecund time. I loved the String Band and I loved Andrew Greig’s books before I read this: now I feel I’ve tapped into the wondrous hinterland where precious flowers bloomed and precious fruits ripened. Thank you both, brothers of the 5000 spirits.

Massive in concept and word-count, and thus inevitably clunky in places. But you couldn’t get more thought-provoking than this. If you’ve not read it, do. Some countries have had the intelligence to implement such a ministry within their government. A widely respected UK magazine, in tandem with an influential charity, runs annual colloquia on the theme. In a rational world, this book wouldn’t be needed. But it is.

First read in 1970: still foundational