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02 Jan 10 - 11:56 AM (#2801559) Subject: BS: Author GA Henty-- what do we know? From: wysiwyg G. A. Henty is bio'd at Wikipedia, and his "historical fiction" is starting to come up at Librivox (free audiobooks), but what does anyone here know about the accuracy or multicultural competence of his works? Wiki excerpt: George Alfred Henty (8 December 1832 – 16 November 1902), was a prolific English novelist, special correspondent and Imperialist. He is best known for his historical adventure stories that were popular in the late 19th century. (Does "Imperialist" imply that he thought no harm was being done under the colonialism of the Bristish Empire and that his works will be full of "happy" (stereotyped) indigenous people?) Thanks, because LONG audbooks are a treat for us, but.... ~Susan |
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02 Jan 10 - 12:03 PM (#2801565) Subject: RE: BS: Author GA Henty-- what do we know? From: artbrooks He was apparently a war correspondent. I'd expect that he was an imperialist in much the same way as his contemporary Rudyard Kipling. This from his publisher's page: " Henty's stories revolve around a fictional boy hero during fascinating periods of history. His heroes are diligent, courageous, intelligent and dedicated to their country and cause in the face, at times, of great peril. His histories, particularly battle accounts, have been recognized by historian scholars for their accuracy. In fact, the only criticism Henty faced by the liberals of his day was that his heroes were "too Christian." There is nothing dry in Mr. Henty's stories and thus he removes the drudgery and laborious task often associated with the study of history." |
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02 Jan 10 - 12:06 PM (#2801567) Subject: RE: BS: Author GA Henty-- what do we know? From: wysiwyg Here's the search result at Librivox, then; think I'll give a listen on The Cat of Bubastes! Hope it's a bit like Haggard? http://librivox.org/newcatalog/search.php?title=&author=G.+A.+Henty&action=Search ~Susan |
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02 Jan 10 - 12:16 PM (#2801576) Subject: RE: BS: Author GA Henty-- what do we know? From: bubblyrat G A Henty was a favourite author of mine,as a schoolboy & teenager.I still recall a novel of his about people finding and retrieving Aztec or somesuch treasure from South America-----gripping stuff ! A pity,IMHO,that the young men of today don't spend more time reading those sorts of books (and thus stimulating their imaginations) ,instead of spending 18 hours a day in their stuffy bedrooms playing mindless computer games (and with themselves !). |
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02 Jan 10 - 12:28 PM (#2801587) Subject: RE: BS: Author GA Henty-- what do we know? From: Will Fly My grandparents bought several of Henty's story books for my father, who passed them on to me as a child. I thought they were excellent at the time but haven't read them for over 50 years. A precursor of Henty's - in that he wrote "ripping yarns" for children - was Captain Frederick Marryat (July 10, 1792 – August 9, 1848), whose books I also read. For those of a Norfolk persuasion, he's buried in Langham Churchyard, and there's a plaque about him in the church itself. |
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02 Jan 10 - 12:32 PM (#2801590) Subject: RE: BS: Author GA Henty-- what do we know? From: Jack Campin I work in a second-hand bookshop and we get through a lot more Henty than the average book business would. I have only met one purchaser of that stuff who I would regard as a normal human being (and he subsequently offloaded his entire collection on us because he was tired of it). Seems to be the novelist of choice among embittered old men who read the Daily Mail. |
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02 Jan 10 - 12:40 PM (#2801603) Subject: RE: BS: Author GA Henty-- what do we know? From: GUEST,HiLo What in gods name does multicultural competence mean ? Henty was a very popular author and he wrote rattlimg good adventures. He was a man of HIS time, not ours..but the books are still widely read by those who like a good adventure. |
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02 Jan 10 - 02:22 PM (#2801690) Subject: RE: BS: Author GA Henty-- what do we know? From: Q (Frank Staplin) I read a couple of Henty's adventures when I was in grade school. Veddy British Imperial, but so what? His books, like Kipling's and most others from pre-mid-20th C. should be read and enjoyed as products of the time, as HiLo says. Damn good yarns. In another thread you asked what "multicultural competence" meant to mudcatters. The "term," whatever it means, should have no relevance to Henty and other 19th C. authors. And yes, I have no hesitance about recommending Marryat's classic "The Dog Fiend," about a sad sack sailor aboard a ship with a sadistic Dutch captain and the dog Snarleyyow; many floggings and dog bites, but of course the English sailor endured all in comic, parodied fashion. "Lead him forward" said Mr. Vanslyperken; follow me, marines;" and the whole party headed by the lieutenant, went before the mast. "Strip him!" cried Mr. Vanslyperken. "Strip me, with the snow flying like this! Aren't I cold enough already?" "You'll be colder when you're under the bottom of the cutter," replied the master. "O Lord, then it is keel-hauling a'ter all! ...." |
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02 Jan 10 - 03:23 PM (#2801738) Subject: RE: BS: Author GA Henty-- what do we know? From: theleveller I have a large collection of Blackie and other books from the same era, which includes Henty, Ballantyne etc. I read than as a boy but can't say I read many these days. Howevere, I'm currently reading John Buchan's Blanket of the Dark as it weas recommended as an exxcellent accoutn of the events of The Pilgrimage of Grace and, I have to say, I'm surprised at not only how well-written it is but what a balanced and liberal view of the period he portrays. It reminds me of why I found Prester John such a favourite as a lad. |
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02 Jan 10 - 04:07 PM (#2801783) Subject: RE: BS: Author GA Henty-- what do we know? From: Will Fly Buchan is often seen as jingoistic and simplistic, but he was actually a superb writer. For a look at his serious side, I can recommend "Witch Wood" - set in the 17th century - and dealing with the Civil War, the Church and witchcraft in a unique way. The historical setting is incredibly well done. |
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02 Jan 10 - 04:31 PM (#2801802) Subject: RE: BS: Author GA Henty-- what do we know? From: Edthefolkie We had a rather nice library at my secondary school (1860s/1930s buildings, but founded 1513). Old boys (alumni), also old teachers had given books to the library over the years. This meant that there was an interesting cross section of people's taste over about 70 years. There were about 25 G.A. Henty titles, which unfortunately were admired more for their binding than their content (this was the 1960s, after all) - so they gently mouldered on their shelves. There were also about 10 bound volumes of Punch from the Great War which in contrast were very popular, probably because of the great cartoons. One book by an old boy was mentioned in hushed tones and frequently consulted - Sons and Lovers by D H Lawrence. This was around the time of the Chatterley obscenity trial so obviously owt by Bert had to be scrutinised! Poor old Henty was no doubt spinning in his grave.... Needless to say about 5 years after I left, some prune decided to bring the library into the 20th century, put in a mezzanine floor and no doubt the Hentys and the Punch volumes were either nicked, burned or sent to secondhand bookshops. |
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02 Jan 10 - 05:07 PM (#2801825) Subject: RE: BS: Author GA Henty-- what do we know? From: Q (Frank Staplin) I remember being assigned Buchan's "Thirty-nine Steps" for a report on suspense writing. A fine book, still in print. Henty, of course, would seem out of date to modern youth, much as the "Tom Swift and ...." books are. Even "Terry and the Pirates;" recently issued is a prime 6-volume edition of this graphic story of the 1930s-WW2 using Ohio State archival Milton Caniff material; is dated and brings yawns and perhaps giggles to kids nowadays, but it is invaluable to adults interested in what people thought during that period. |
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03 Jan 10 - 10:43 AM (#2802137) Subject: RE: BS: Author GA Henty-- what do we know? From: theleveller "no doubt the Hentys and the Punch volumes were either nicked, burned or sent to secondhand bookshops. " Sounds like they may have found their way into my book collection! |
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03 Jan 10 - 02:38 PM (#2802332) Subject: RE: BS: Author GA Henty-- what do we know? From: Q (Frank Staplin) Mine too. I have quite a collection of books rejected by libraries. Mostly folk and music, but others of historical interest. My sets of Brown (North Carolina) and Randolph (Ozarks) and Peacock (Newfoundland) and Universal Songster are library discards. The public are not interested in folk or older music or the past (Dana, etc.). Of course novels by Marryat. Long live Snarleyyow! |
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03 Jan 10 - 03:00 PM (#2802346) Subject: RE: BS: Author GA Henty-- what do we know? From: wysiwyg what does anyone here know about the accuracy or multicultural competence of his works This question seemed to me to have hit a hot-button, so I've been thinking. As one can see for oneself in the thread about multicultural competence, the term (nowadays) has as many meanings (and hot-buttons) as the term "PC." In SOME circles (the ones I come from for instance), the term connotates not a set of behaviors (such as mandated at most cultural sensitivity trainings I ever attended), but a set of underlying assumptions, intentions, and/or values. In those sorts of circles (and as I use the term), there's a mixture of respect and curiosity that generally result, when behavior follows those, in all-around cooperation (as opposed to mutually offended people who have mutually misunderstood one another totally). And in a number of articles regarding "older" literary works, I have seen references to authors that were considered, in their own time, to be what we would NOW consider to have been ahead of their time. In other words-- of course one could not expect Henty, in his time, to be PC now. But one COULD have an opinion as to where his works would fall NOW-- on a PC/multiculturality scale of one's own choosing-- now that we have the luxury of looking back with different values and expectations from our time to his. And THAT would interest me. As some of you know, I have some vision issues that make it nigh unto impossible to do extensive text-reading on anything. AND Henty is not in my own cultural-upbringing memory. So I asked what we know. I appreciate especially all the UK answers here so far. So-- what else do we know? :~) ~Susan |