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Page last updated at 07:56 GMT, Thursday, 14 January 2010

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In pictures: The art of Gormenghast

Drawing from Titus Alone by Mervyn Peake

The art and ideas of Mervyn Peake, author of the Gormenghast series, are set to return to Britain's book shops.

Drawing of Titus standing by a wall by Mervyn Peake from Titus Alone

A fourth Gormenghast novel is to be released after a manuscript was found in the family attic.

Drawing of Titus and Muzzlehatch by Mervyn Peake from Titus Alone

The novel, Titus Awakes, follows Peake's protagonist Titus as he adventures out of Gormenghast.

It was outlined by the author before his death in 1968, but his wife - writer and artist Maeve Peake - completed the work.

The couple had an incredibly close creative relationship - they first met as art teacher and student.

Maeve Gilmore drawn by Mervyn Peake, taken from the manuscript pages of Titus Groan

And Maeve was the subject of many of Mervyn Peake's drawings.

While Mervyn Peake's success overshadows Maeve's own artistic skill, it was often sales of her paintings which financed the couple.

Image from Titus Alone by Mervyn Peake drawn on the back of an envelope

Mervyn Peake did not live to see the success of his novels, but through the new book, his central character Titus lives on.

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