Pagan Papers by Kenneth Grahame
In much the same way that A.A. Milne‘s career was overshadowed by the success of Winnie the Pooh, the author Kenneth Grahame is nowadays only really remembered for his classic work “The Wind in the Willows” (1908). However as a recent re-release from Mike Walmer reveals, Grahame had an illustrious career as an esteemed essayist long before his hit with “Willows”…
Grahame was born in Edinburgh in 1859, but grew up in Berkshire, spending the majority of his working life at the Bank of England. He published essays and stories in literary journals, and three collections of these were issued between 1894 and 1898; this is the first volume from 1894 which established his name.
In book-buying you not infrequently condone an extravagance by the reflection that this particular purchase will be a good investment, sordidly considered: that you are not squandering income but sinking capital. But you know all the time that you are lying. Once possessed, books develop a personality: they take on a touch of warm human life that the links them in a manner with our kith and kin.
“Pagan Papers” collects together 18 pieces and they really do make for entertaining reading. Grahame has a very individual voice, which shines through, and an interesting take on things. He considers roads, the romance of walking down them and wondering where they might lead or what adventure take you on. He ponders railways and although a little resistant to progress, recognises they have a romance of their own too. Grahame’s views on books and reading are bracing; he acknowledges what will be familiar to any bibliophile: the joy of possession and the hopeless inability to read all the books one owns. As someone basically self-taught, I was less in tune with his views in “Cheap Knowledge” where he eschews the idea of lending libraries and the access they allow everyone to learning. However, he *is* in favour of novel reading, so that’s something!
….blessed blank oblivion, happiest gift of the gods! For who, indeed, can say that the record of his life is not crowded with failure and mistake, stained with its petty cruelties of youth, its meannesses and follies of later years, all which storm and clamour incessantly at the gates of memory, refusing to be shut out?
Needless to say, Grahame’s paean to the pleasures of smoking is something which would be frowned upon nowadays, but is entertaining to read. And it’s quite surprising to see him obliquely referring to the pleasures of opium in the essay “The White Poppy” – though that might account for some of the stranger scenes in “Willows….”!!
All in all, this was a enjoyable, entertaining and, yes, quite thought-provoking collection of essays which definitely deserves to see the light of day again. Mike Walmer has released it in a nice paperback edition as part of his ‘Belles-Lettres’ series, and if you’re keen to read some classic essays (in elegant but slightly old-fashioned language, it has to be said!) I can highly recommend it to you!
(Review copy kindly provided by the publisher, for which many thanks!)
Kaggsy's Bookish Ramblings 
Dec 21, 2020 @ 09:43:55
My favourite is ‘Justifiable Homicide’ about bumping off irritating relatives! Really glad you enjoyed this, Karen, and huge thanks for covering it.
Dec 21, 2020 @ 10:22:06
Yes, that was a wonderful one with which I did empathise…. It’s a lovely collection Mike and thanks for providing a copy! 😀
Dec 21, 2020 @ 10:08:28
This sounds very appealing. I’ve never been one to read many essays but find myself increasingly drawn to them. What a classic find. 🐧🎄🎁
Dec 21, 2020 @ 10:21:35
It’s a lovely read. I’ve always liked essays but I seem to find myself reading them a lot more recently – I’m often more drawn to them than fiction nowadays!
Dec 22, 2020 @ 06:36:09
I can understand that. 🐧🎄
Dec 21, 2020 @ 12:18:47
Well, who knew! Very much like the sound of this collection. The timelessness of that book-buying observation is rather comforting.
Dec 21, 2020 @ 12:37:17
Fascinating, isn’t it? These poor writers being remembered for only one book when they had so much more to offer!
Dec 21, 2020 @ 15:16:00
Oo glad it’s fun – I’ve had a copy for about 15 years without having read it, so hopefully this will spur me on.
Dec 21, 2020 @ 16:38:56
It is! I think it will probably be your thing as you love Milne!
Dec 21, 2020 @ 18:00:25
Well I never knew that Kenneth Grahame wrote pieces like this. They sound really good. It would seem that the problems of a bookaholic are timeless – good to know us modern buyers are not alone in that.
Dec 21, 2020 @ 18:30:53
Yes, some things really don’t change. The problems of having a book addiction are eternal!!!
Dec 22, 2020 @ 00:32:24
I have to admit that I’m more interested in contemporary essays and then only if they’re educational, broadly speaking, about some contemporary issue that I’m otherwise ignorant about.
But then, I’ve just read some Rebecca West essays that were illuminating about issues of the past and appealed to my interest in history.
So I’m (cheerfully) not consistent in my tastes.
Dec 23, 2020 @ 07:52:08
This sounds interesting. I’m sure the essay about smoking is one of the most puzzling for modern readers. I often wondered how long it will take u til the US begins to cut out smoking scenes from movies. Films from the 40s or so would just be blank.
Dec 23, 2020 @ 11:52:33
Lol, they would! Caught the tale end of the Fairytale of NY video last night and it was wreathed in cigarette smoke! How the world has changed!
Dec 27, 2020 @ 12:54:37
Sounds like an excellent series, too!
Dec 27, 2020 @ 16:11:08
It is – some really interesting titles!
Dec 28, 2020 @ 22:36:18
Hah, that would explain some of the whimsy in Willows after all! And I suppose the “joys of smoking” might continue to have some relevance in our time, depending how strictly one interprets the substances involved. I think I would like his piece/perspective on walking and I agree that it’s sad that one work tends to overshadow a lifetime of work…which is partly on us, as readers too, for not investigating further and simply opting for the easiest selection, the works most readily available, too often if not always.
Dec 29, 2020 @ 16:35:24
I must admit I had to laugh – it’s not what you might expect from a venerated children’s author! But you’re right – we should be prepared to explore further and dig into the more obscure works – there are obviously some real treasures!