Ghastly Good Taste was Betjeman's second book. In it he defends his appreciation of Victorian and Edward architecture and expounds against the rise of modernism. Although his views may have been unpopular in some circles, Betjeman's words must have found a receptive audience as the book has been reprinted several times, possibly aided by the marvellous title and multi-type layout of the front board. The book is dedicated to Penelope Chetwode whom he married in the same year as publication.
[John Betjeman. Illustration by Peter Fleetwood-Hesketh. Chapman & Hall Ltd. London. 1933. First edition, second issue (with the reference to Mowbray removed from pp. 119/20). Pink paper-covered hardback with decorative title to front board, backed with blue buckram, printed label to spine. xii, 139 pages. Errata slip and spare spine label tipped-in. Illustrated with a 40 inch folding plate reproducing a black-and-white line drawing by Peter Fleetwood-Hesketh. English. 190x130mm.]
