As a reader, random bookish serendipity is one of my favourite things in the world; that accidental stumbling across a book or author which turns out to be an utterly brilliant read and sends you off down several rabbit-holes exploring other books and authors. A recent and stunning example of this was my discovery of “Footsteps” by Richard Holmes; the author and his writings made repeated appearances in Sarah LeFanu’s “Dreaming of Rose”. Her recounting of Holmes’s experiences on the trail of Robert Louis Stevenson sounded irresistible, and when I looked a little more deeply, the other writers making appearances in the book ranged from Mary Wollstonecraft through Shelley and co to Gerard de Nerval. Needless to say, obtaining a copy became essential and so I did, and picked it up as soon as it arrived – it didn’t even get the chance to say hello to Mount TBR…
Richard Holmes is a name I thought was new to me (more of which in a future post); an esteemed biographer, winner of numerous awards, and Fellow of the Royal Academy, he certainly seems to have had a very illustrious career. “Footsteps” is subtitled “Adventures of a Romantic Biographer”, and many of Holmes’s biographies have indeed been members of that group; Coleridge and Shelley have had individual works about them, and he’s also written books about the Romantics as an entity. This book, however, was published in 1985, and in it Holmes looks back on four pivotal years in his own life; periods where he began his journey towards becoming a biographer and followed the trail of some of the characters who fascinated him the most.
So the first section, “1964: Travels” covers the time when the young Holmes followed the journey of Robert Louis Stevenson through the Cevennes with his poor donkey (I wrote about that here). Holmes is obviously still feeling his way towards what he wants to do with his life, and as he travels he attempts to write poetry, reflects on Stevenson’s travels and writing, and meditates. Part two, “1968: Revolutions” finds Holmes witnessing the rioting in Paris and casting his mind back to the French Revolution; searching for an eye-witness, he discovers the writings of Mary Wollstonecraft who saw much of what happened, and he sets out to explore her life.
Section three, “1972: Exiles” finds Holmes in the post-sixties decades trailing Shelley and his cohort through Europe to Shelley’s final resting place in Italy. Here, Holmes is particularly drawn to Claire Clairmont and her relationship with the poet; and he’s becoming more adept at digging into the past and exploring it deeply, using his biographer’s skills to uncover things others might have missed. Finally, part four “1976: Dreams” deals with the tragic French author Gerard de Nerval; Holmes is particularly drawn to consider Nerval’s friendship with Gautier, his apparent madness and the times through which he was living. This section did make particularly powerful reading…
Needless to say, I was absolutely enthralled from the start of “Footsteps” to the final words; what a wonderful and truly engrossing read it is. It’s actually also quite a hard book to classify, as it encompasses so much. There’s the autobiographical element, where Holmes looks back at these important times in his own life, which are fascinating in their own right. Then there’s the biographical angle, with the stories of the various authors he’s tracking relayed through the prism of Holmes’s interpretations. And finally, of course, there’s the whole subject of the art of biography; how to write it, how to get inside your subject’s head, how to interpret past events when crucial documentation is missing, and whether to stand back and be objective or use your imagination to ‘see’ the life story of your subject, almost stepping into fiction. All of these elements are brought together quite brilliantly into a dizzying piece of writing which is quite unforgettable.
As I mentioned, “Footsteps” is from 1985; and although I’m no expert on the art of biography, I imagine Holmes’s approach was very groundbreaking at the time. With our current fad for following in the footsteps of the Brontes, or tracing Jane Austen’s trail, Holmes really can be said to be ahead of the game with his search for those authors he loved, immersing himself in their landscapes to give him a better understanding of their lives. His methods are perhaps unorthadox (or certainly may have been at the time), but he captures quite brilliantly the frustration at not being able to pin down the past; having glimpses when it almost seems as if the boundaries between then and now are dissolved; but they aren’t of course and this can leave the biographer bereft.
… all these inward emotions were concentrated and focused upon one totally unforeseen things: the growth of a friendship with Stevenson, which is to say, the growth of an imaginary relationship with a non-existent person, or at least a dead one. In this sense, what I experienced and recorded in the Cevennes in the summer of 1964 was a haunting.… an invasion or encroachment of the present upon the past, and in some sense the past upon the present. And in this experience of haunting I first encountered – without them realising it – what I now think of as the essential process of biography.
The book also demonstrates how partisan and personally involved a biographer can be, particularly in his determination to find out the truth about the Shelley/Clairmont relationship! “Footsteps” is also a book which is as much about the times Holmes is living through and their resonances with the past; the line back from 1968 to 1789 is often drawn nowadays, but I don’t know how much it was at the time. Holmes is an engaging narrator, not afraid to reveal his fears and doubts, and the book is a self-portrait of him as a proto-biographer, feeling his way into his craft.
I found “Footsteps” to be an absolutely fabulous read; a heady blend of autobiography, biography, travel and meditation, it’s haunted me for days after finishing it. It’s also had a very bad effect on the TBR, unfortunately; the first casualty is Robert Louis Stevenson, whose “Travels With a Donkey…” I already own in multiple copies…
But as “Footsteps” reveals, there is also a published copy of the actual journal Stevenson kept, from which Holmes quotes liberally. A quick online investigation revealed a reasonably-priced copy and I sent off for it – with some trepidation, as it was incredibly cheap, and the seller was one who’s provided tatty books in the past. Lo and behold, it arrived and was in marvellous condition – so that was a result!
As for the other dangers; well, the Romantic authors are ones already well represented on my shelves, although frantic searching after finishing “Footsteps” revealed some unpleasant gaps. But this warrants a separate post, which will follow in a day or so when I get a little more organised! In the meantime, I will just say that “Footsteps” is an absolutely magnificent book which will definitely be amongst my reads of the year. If you have any interest in biography, autobiography or any of the authors covered I highly recommend it – and thank you to Sarah LeFanu for pointing me in its direction! 😀
Aug 07, 2021 @ 07:17:15
I love these rabbitholes, one thing leading to another. Always my favourite way to read… or approach life, really.
Aug 07, 2021 @ 11:10:16
Lol, I agree – definitely best to follow where things take you – you never know what’s going to turn up!
Aug 07, 2021 @ 08:54:45
Loved your review, Kaggsy! I loved this sentence from your review – ” it didn’t even get the chance to say hello to Mount TBR…” 😊 I got Richard Holmes’ book after you recommended it. I can’t wait to read it. I want to read Stevenson’s book first and then Holmes’ book. Love the way he has travelled to the past through his journeys and his writings. Makes me remember what the medieval Zen monk Yoshida Kenko said – “It is a most wonderful comfort to sit alone beneath a lamp, book spread before you, and commune with someone from the past whom you have never met.” Thanks for sharing your thoughts 😊
Aug 07, 2021 @ 11:09:43
Thanks Vishy! This really was one I was keen to get to as soon as it arrived! The Stevenson is great (although his treatment of poor Modestine isn’t) and the journal looks and sounds great. That’s a wonderful quote and it really does sum up the pleasure of reading – thank you for sharing it!
Aug 09, 2021 @ 14:23:36
Glad you liked that quote, Kaggsy 😊 So beautiful, isn’t it? It is sad that Stevenson didn’t treat Modestine well.
Aug 09, 2021 @ 14:39:04
Yes, my one reservation about the book… 😦
Aug 07, 2021 @ 09:41:12
Lovely review; I must read more Holmes. I read his Age of Wonder which I absolutely loved and keep meaning to pick up others.
Aug 07, 2021 @ 11:08:27
Thank you! I’m keen to read more of him myself and Age of Wonder is very tempting…
Aug 07, 2021 @ 10:14:19
How lovely when one book leads to another, as in this case with the Sarah LeFanu! I have a fondness for books that blur the margins between categories, blending aspects of memoir or meditation, biography and other subjects (such as travel writing or the natural world). A very different book, but it reminds me a little of Helen Macdonald’s H is for Hawk which combines elements of memoir, nature writing and reflections on T. H. White, author of The Goshawk and The Once and Future King…
Aug 07, 2021 @ 11:08:08
I do love a bit of bookish serendipity, especially when they lead to new books or authors I’d not come across before. And yes – those books which blur the boundaries are so fascinating. This was a really intriguing mix, and totally absorbed me for days. I have to confess I wasn’t convinced that H is for Hawk was quite right for me, despite the T. H. White connection, as I don’t do birds and I had heard some readers were uncomfortable with her treatment of the bird. But I can see exactly what you mean – Snow springs to mind as a wonderful blend of memoir and nature writing too!
Aug 07, 2021 @ 12:24:00
It’s so great when one book leads to another like that, isn’t it? And now you’ve discovered all sorts of good reads, which is a great feeling. When that happens to me, the only thing I try hard not to do is look too hard at my TBR… 😉
Aug 07, 2021 @ 14:00:54
It really is – I love that kind of random bookish chain. But I daren’t look at the TBR…. ;D
Aug 07, 2021 @ 14:01:28
Your excitement is palpable; I love it when that happens over a book. And it does sound marvellous! And risky. I know all kinds of temptations will follow if I give in to this first one and get a copy of this book but sometimes there really isn’t a choice. Especially now I’ve just discovered it available from the library 😀
Aug 07, 2021 @ 14:56:50
I’m glad that came across – I did absolutely love this book, and felt quite profoundly affected by it. It *is* risky – and has had an effect, which will be seen on a forthcoming post. I hope you enjoy it!
Aug 07, 2021 @ 14:02:42
Richard Holmes is such a brilliant biographer, well, writer. I read ‘Age of Wonder’ years ago and I think that book was the one that made me realize just how enthralling good biography can be. I’ve taken note of some of his other books over the years, but not picked any more up, something I need to remedy!
Aug 07, 2021 @ 14:55:50
I must admit to being tempted by Age of Wonder – it sounds quite marvellous. I totally agree – a good biography is a thing of great beauty and can be so gripping. Do I dare explore his books further? I think I must!
Aug 07, 2021 @ 16:44:53
I’m jealous, this rabbit -hole serendipity hasn’t happened to me for quite a while and it is a wonderful thing. Richard Holmes and Sarah LeFanu are on my TBR now!
Aug 07, 2021 @ 16:53:31
It doesn’t always happen, but when it does it’s wonderful. Two authors I can definitely recommend you explore!!
Aug 07, 2021 @ 17:21:30
Oh lovely! I also was enticed by the Holmes in LeFanu’s book, though didn’t get as far doing anything about it 😀 Glad to hear it was such a success.
Aug 07, 2021 @ 17:38:58
She made it sound so wonderful that I couldn’t resist, especially when I saw the subject matter. It was a real joy – so glad I followed it up! 😀
Aug 07, 2021 @ 20:40:45
Holmes is indeed a wonderful biographer — his biography of Shelley is first-rate, and although quite long is wonderfully readable. I also echo some of the other commentators here in saying I loved “The Age of Wonder” in particular too!
Aug 08, 2021 @ 16:56:11
I think I definitely have the Shelley in my sights, and Age of Wonder too – both sound marvellous!
Aug 08, 2021 @ 07:06:59
That phrase “random bookish serendipity” is I think the most beloved actions of a bookworm….. books we are led to from other books & fall in love with! This book sounds amazing, so you know what happens?? Sigh! Another book buying expedition!! Lol
Aug 08, 2021 @ 16:55:33
Absolutely! Bookish serendipity is the best! Hurrah for book buying expeditions!
Aug 08, 2021 @ 08:10:01
This is such a lovely review, and I just read Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes for the first time last month, so I think I have to pick this up now! Thank you
Aug 08, 2021 @ 16:54:10
Most welcome! Stevenson’s travels are fascinating and I’m longing to pick up the Journal!
Aug 08, 2021 @ 11:33:55
I love hearing how you found your way to this book, which does sound absolutely fascinating. Those literary rabbit holes do produce some excellent reading experiences. Biographers clearly have to totally immerse themselves in their subject and so their lives become strangely entwined. I have that Dreaming of Rose book tbr of course which I will get to eventually.
Aug 08, 2021 @ 16:53:37
I love that random aspect of reading – when you follow a thread and it leads you somewhere else which then leads you to another place. I’ve found some marvellous books like that over the years! And yes, biographers really do have to sink themselves into their subject, something which was a factor in this book and in Dreaming of Rose – I know I have felt very involved with authors and books just from reading, so researching must be so much more immersive.
Aug 08, 2021 @ 17:30:47
Oh this does sound interesting – and wow, envelope to reading hands without alighting on the TBR!
Aug 08, 2021 @ 18:48:10
Yes, that’s testament to how keen I was to read it. Such a wonderful book!
Aug 08, 2021 @ 22:20:58
Such a lovely post Kaggsy! Holmes sounds wonderful – I’ve never read him but his mixed-genre approach is very appealing.
Aug 09, 2021 @ 10:52:28
Thank you Madame B – he certainly is an excellent author, on the strength of this, and I do want to read more!
Aug 09, 2021 @ 22:21:50
This is the second time this week that Stevenson’s journey has been mentioned. It features in episode two of a new series with Richard E Grant called Write Around the World. I watched episode 1 not really expecting to be enthralled but Grant is surprisingly good. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09nldzc
Aug 10, 2021 @ 11:05:38
Yes, I watched the first episode and found it rather enjoyable – looking forward to catching up with the Stevenson episode! 😀
Sep 16, 2021 @ 11:03:45
Oct 22, 2021 @ 07:00:37