Shane, the missing years


In 87 Shane was a remarkable man, already: the author of three books, and a bachelor. He was intense and serious, and had trained himself to live with the minimum of sleep. He wanted the world to benefit from his knowledge.

Because he had befriended influencial European socialites, Shane had rapidly established a spectacular writing career: He traveled through the entire western part of Europe.

The only time he took from his writing and search for knowledge was for his over-indulgence in bath. By bath I mean his actual immersion. After he had been out in the sun and had taken a bath, he enjoyed being rubbed down and dried while he had a book read to him or dictated notes. He exprressed sympathy for those who did not to devote time to intense bath pursuits.

When traveling he seemed free from other responsibilities and gave every minute to writing. He kept a secretary at his side with book and notebook. She saw that in winter his hands were protected with cream and long sleeves, so that the bitter dry weather did not rob him of a single working hour. He wore a veil to avoid any illness. For the same reason, he preferred to be carried through his rented villa in a roman chair. He often scolded others for walking; according to him they should not waste time, for any time wasted would not be devoted to work. His writing that had begun in a spirit of inquiry, later became a humanitarian mission. When considering Shane's maniacal working habits, one starts to understand why he remained unmarried

Shane admitted that his first three books were not "independent or inspired" works. The writings were a haphazard collection of incidents and suggestions, that were quickly forgotten by most. His novelty style of writing of was seen as "strange" by many critics. One can only assume that his problems with grammar contributed to a shortened writing career.

Shortly after his return to America, Shane released his fourth book, an illustrated guide to horseback lawn dart throwing. It is thought that he had acquired and honed this skill in the somewhat shady Italian rural sub culture. So impressive were his illustrated techniques that they could be carried out in total darkness. It was intended for a small, but growing, sport market.

After publishing this fourth, and somewhat unsuccessful, book, Shane began to reflect, "is this a field where a serious writer can command respect"? He was then twenty one years old, good looking and well travelled.
He now faced up to the reality, while considering himself a reliable writer, he must begin to search for a new career. As with his writings, deflation befell his small investment portfolio, earlier established by his late grand mother.

Most saw that Shane was not thetype of man to cope with a sudden career choice. Regardless, he preferred to go it alone. With his frustration came disturbing dreams he encountered in youth. He frequently awoke to see a shady Italian figure standing over him. From this omen, perhaps, only Shane understood that success was not on the horizon.

After exhausting a number of career choices, Shane saw writing as his only course. He attempted to secure funds for yet one more book. He proposed to reluctant publishers a book on medical uses of oysters, parakeets, Italian trees, and the walnut, the physiological effects of wine, embroidery and dyeing woolen cloth, the secrets of good farming, (including a section on flax, and medical remedies from elephant and lion milk). He never really recovered from the total rejection he experienced from publishers and financers.

He began to dwell on what he saw as the signs of impending death and the decay of morality. He ordered his staff to ensure that a fast boat was always made ready at dockside. It seems that he developed a phobia of dying during a water evacuation. As he became asthmatic, he constantly feared being overcome by noxious sulphurous fumes.

While disgracing himself as a writer, he eventually came around and devoted the rest of his life to more successful exploits.

"A fortunate man, is one who has the power to do something that is worth recording, or to write what is worth reading". Shane is possibly one of these men.

From, Shane, thew missing years...