SOURCE: “Sir Compton Mackenzie ‘Face to Face’,” in Listener, Vol. 67, January 25, 1962, pp. 165-67.

In the following interview, Mackenzie discusses his childhood, his education, and the impact of World War I on his writing.

[Freeman:] Sir Compton Mackenzie, in the course of a long life you have been, as far as I know, a writer, a soldier, a music critic; you have been a spy, you have been a religious convert, you have been a bon viveur all the time—I take it it is fair to say that you really have led the life of your choice?

[Mackenzie:] Absolutely.

Now, at the age of almost seventy-nine, you are living the life of an elderly Scottish gentleman, in Edinburgh. Perhaps you had better explain to me why you are in your present situation.

Actually, I really should apologize, John, for being in bed, but the point is that I...