THE LIFE OF GEORGE BORROW, 1803 -1881: Misfit, Traveler and Author of Genius Author: Michael Collie Credentials: PhD; Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies, York University, Toronto; Fellow of the
Royal Society of Canada and fellow of the Geological Society(London) Author of George Borrow, Eccentric (1984) and many Borrovian and other research studies Description: ��t has been said that
idleness is the parent of mischief, which is very true; but mischief itself is merely an attempt to escape from the dreary vacuum of idleness.��First, the subtitle of this completely revised
and newly augmented study of George Borrow . ��isfit��implies not subscribing or submitting to normal, mainstream middle-class values and habits. Borrow preferred the company of gypsies,
vagabonds, foreigners, horse-dealers and outsiders to the conformist, respectable English person, whom he thought was sometimes incapable of understanding the realities of the human condition,
or simply preferred to evade them. In 1982, this was the intended meaning of the word ��ccentric�� someone with valid, personal priorities, not in the main stream, away from the centre, free to
be critical of aspects of English life he regarded as false or shallow or unworthy. Borrow did not subscribe to other people's view of how life should be conducted; his publications are the
expression of this freedom. ��raveler��simply refers to his many travels which will all be described and discussed in the new book. These travels include his journeys to Russia, Spain, France,
Turkey and possibly other countries, as well as to Scotland, Wales and parts of England that were little known at that time. The book will be more directly about these travels than in 1982.
��enius��is a word Borrow applies to himself, the implication being that he did not actually know either by what creative process his great works ��Lavengro, The Bible in Spain, Wild Wales
��had come into existence, or why his creativity had dried up at a later point in time. George Borrow Eccentric was guarded in its treatment of biographical questions, very likely too guarded.
Collie discusses some key issues in Borrows life: Left unresolved in the past was the question of paternity (did he and his brother have the same father?); the condition for which mercury
treatment was prescribed (if not syphilis, then what?); the person behind the name ��sobel Berners��(can she be securely identified?); his Bible Society accounts (where was he during the
periods unaccounted for?); his sexuality (why did he marry Mrs Clarke?); his religious convictions (do his writings express faith or cynicism on this score?); and his loneliness (the loneliness
of a sharp, perceptive intellect without intended companionship?). The Collie's study calmly,carefully and thoroughly discusses the new research tools and information that brings us even closer
to the man,the works and the issues confronted by anyone who writes his literary biography .Market: George Borrow, English Literature 19th c., Travel writing 19th c (England, Spain, Wales),
British Writing/Life and Letters ,19c Release Date: 12/2009 Copyright: 2010 ISBN/Price: Cloth: 978-1-933146-/1933146-70-2; ＄79.95 Trim Size: 6 x 9 Pages: 364 Index: Yes Bibliography: Yes
Illustrations: Yes CIP: Yes Publisher: Academica Press, LLC Maunsel & Co.,Publishers(Dublin) Box 60728 Cambridge Station Palo Alto,CA 94306 Contact: Robert Redfern-West
[email protected] (650)329-0685 See our website for more information: www.Academicapress.com
