People from the US, Taiwan, Vietnam and beyond have paid tribute to Bradley Winterton, 86, a long-time contributor to the Taipei Times, who passed away in Saigon on June 1. He was 86.
A veteran journalist, traveler and all-around Renaissance man, Winterton worked for Time Out magazine in Paris, was a book reviewer at Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post, establishing “100 books for Christmas,” before becoming a regular contributor to the Taipei Times, where he drew on his astonishing knowledge of literature and classical music to review books and performances.
“Classical music, opera and theater were his passions,” says Terence J. Roe, a close friend of Winterton and illustrator for three of his books.
Photo courtesy of Bradley Winterton’s Facebook page
Winterton worked at the theater company of renowned director and visual artist Robert Wilson and later founded Crystal Theater of the Saint, an avant-garde theater company in Bristol, where he both directed and performed. Winterton’s love of opera culminated in two books, Falstaff in Macau (1994) and a sequel, A Season in Macau.
Winterton was also a great enthusiast of travel and nature, penning three books on the subjects: The Insider’s Guide to Thailand, The Insider’s Guide to Bali and co-authored The Traveler’s Japan Companion.
“He had either the air of a traveling English Lord or of a modern day Diogenes,” quips Patrick Quere, referring to the ancient Greek philosopher who believed in living a life of action.
Photos courtesy of Bradley Winterton’s Facebook page
But perhaps Winterton’s greatest love was for literature. As the Features editor, I can attest to his extraordinary grasp of the English literary tradition and its historical influences. He was also a keen observer of all things Taiwan.
John Ross, the former Camphor Press co-publisher and publisher of the newly minted Plum Rain Press, says that Winterton published more book reviews on topics about Taiwan than probably anyone else.
“Even after two decades of acquaintance with Bradley and his reviews, handing him a book was an adventure — I was never sure how he would react,” Ross tells the Taipei Times. “Despite our friendship, he did not spare his scorn for anything he disliked,” citing the China satire Party Members as an example.
Ross says that the week before his passing, he received two e-mails from Winterton, who wrote: “If I were to end my life as a vagrant in the Himalayas, as is possible, I would carry with me only two books: The Golden Gate by Vikram Seth, a novel in verse, and The Invention of Love by Tom Stoppard. I could re-read both endlessly.”
Winterton was also a novelist, writing The Mystery Religions of Gladovia (2015), a roman a clef that takes place in a fictional South American country. Close readers, however, will know that many of the places he describes in the book are to be found in Taiwan.
Ross’s Plum Rain Press will soon publish Moments of Vision, Winterton’s memoir and collection of writings. A free e-book will be available upon publication.
“Bradley ignited the hearts and minds of many people, including my own,” Roe says. “His insightful perspectives, passionate spirit and unwavering friendship will be deeply missed.”
Winterton’s ashes will be returned to England, where they will be scattered among the mountains and lakes of his beloved Lake District.
Winterton is survived by his brother Ralph.
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