Rudyard Kipling by Andrew Lycett
Paragon of English virtues or racist imperialist? Andrew Lycett (acclaimed biographer of Ian Fleming) has returned to primary sources to tell the intricate story of a misunderstood genius who became Britain's most famous and highest earning author. Among the many new sources, Lycett has discovered previously unpublished letters that illuminate Kipling's crucial years in India, his first girlfriend (the model for Mrs Hauksbee of Plain Tales from the Hills), his parents' decision to send him back to England to boarding school; and in his adult life his use of opium, his frustrating times in London and the brief peace he found in America before the devastating loss of both his young daughter and, in the First World War, his son. Lycett also uncovers the extraordinary story of Kipling's great love for Flo Garrard, daughter of the crown jeweller, and unravels the complicated yet enthralling saga of the American family the Balestiers, and of Carrie Balestier who became Kipling's wife. This biography is full of new material on Kipling's financial dealings with Lord Beaverbrook, his friendships with T.E. Lawrence, the painter Edward Burne-Jones and the Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin (who was his cousin).
Conducts us through [Kipling's] life and times with authority, dispassion and clarityThis is an excellent biography, with everything in its place -- Lawrence James * LITERARY REVIEW *
Well researched and finely written ... Anyone who wants to learn about this curious figure in our culture could do no better than to start here -- Simon Heffer * COUNTRY LIFE *
Richly detailed ... will still be read after the latest psychohistories and literary deconstructions have deconstructed one another to bits -- Noel Malcolm * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *
Well researched and finely written ... Anyone who wants to learn about this curious figure in our culture could do no better than to start here -- Simon Heffer * COUNTRY LIFE *
Richly detailed ... will still be read after the latest psychohistories and literary deconstructions have deconstructed one another to bits -- Noel Malcolm * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *
Andrew Lycett was educated at Charterhouse and Christ Church, Oxford (where he read modern history). As a foreign reporter he specialised in Africa and the Middle East. A full-time author since the early 1990s, he has written a number of highly acclaimed biographies and lives in north London.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781474602983 |
| ISBN 10 | 1474602983 |
| Title | Rudyard Kipling |
| Author | Andrew Lycett |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Orion Publishing Co |
| Year published | 2015-11-12 |
| Number of pages | 928 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |