Record Number: 32908
Reading Experience:
Evidence:
‘I think we are quite near [departure for] the front—the fighting line, but at least I have control enough of my mind to think very little of this. The only thought that disturbs me ever, is that all my continual striving and endeavour to become a fit and full man (“full man” is Shakespeare [Antony & Cleopatra]) may be ended by a German bullet or bayonet. But then my belief in our destiny rises clear and strong and in spite of my sick mind, and by the help of the last volume or so of "War and Peace" I am calm again. Read it, boy, read it … "War and Peace" & Shakespeare & Whitman & St Matthew & Wordsworth & Plutarch is a pretty complete diet—mental pabulum.’
Century:1900-1945
Date:Between 22 Feb 1916 and 28 Feb 1916
Country:England
Timen/a
Place:city: Salisbury
county: Wiltshire
specific address: Park House Camp
(Reader):
silent aloud unknown
solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown
(Listener):
solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown
Reader / Listener / Reading Group:
Reader: Age:Adult (18-100+)
Gender:Male
Date of Birth:28 Aug 1890
Socio-Economic Group:Professional / academic / merchant / farmer
Occupation:Private, Gloucestershire Regiment
Religion:Christian (Anglican)
Country of Origin:England
Country of Experience:England
Listeners present if any:e.g family, servants, friends
n/a
Additional Comments:
n/a
Text Being Read:
Author: Title:War and Peace
Genre:Fiction
Form of Text:Print: Book
Publication Detailsn/a
Provenanceowned
Source Information:
Record ID:32908
Source:Ivor Gurney
Editor:R. K. R. Thornton,
Title:Ivor Gurney: Collected Letters
Place of Publication:Manchester
Date of Publication:1991
Vol:n/a
Page:71-2
Additional Comments:
Letter to Herbert Howells, composer and organist, from Park House Camp, Salisbury, 22 February 1916
Citation:
Ivor Gurney, R. K. R. Thornton, (ed.), Ivor Gurney: Collected Letters, (Manchester, 1991), p. 71-2, http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/reading/UK/record_details.php?id=32908, accessed: 27 April 2024
Additional Comments:
See also RED ID 32889 and RED ID 32907 for earlier comments on reading this work. The date of reading has been entered as between the previous letter on this book and this current one.
