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the experience of reading in Britain, from 1450 to 1945...

Reading Experience Database UK Historical image of readers
 
 
 
 

Record Number: 34187


Reading Experience:

Evidence:

The tourist class in the 'Athenia' was a distraction of wailing children and howling winds. I dislike the sea anyway when it is anything other than something blue that wraps itself round islands. Yet as I lay in my bunk between distasteful meals I read the Odyssey for the first time in Butcher and Lang's translation; and the roar and hiss of the waves was a part of its music. I was so transported with delight that I leapt up at intervals to walk about the narrow cabin floor, in an ecstasy that had to be expressed somehow, or choke me.

Century:

1900-1945

Date:

Between 1 Oct 1928 and 31 Oct 1928

Country:

Atlantic Ocean, between England and Canada

Time

n/a

Place:

other location: In her bunk on board the ship Athenia

Type of Experience
(Reader):
 

silent aloud unknown
solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown

Type of Experience
(Listener):
 

solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown


Reader / Listener / Reading Group:

Reader:

Freya Stark

Age:

Adult (18-100+)

Gender:

Female

Date of Birth:

31 Jan 1893

Socio-Economic Group:

Professional / academic / merchant / farmer

Occupation:

Explorer and travel writer

Religion:

Christian

Country of Origin:

England

Country of Experience:

Atlantic Ocean, between England and Canada

Listeners present if any:
e.g family, servants, friends

n/a


Additional Comments:

n/a



Text Being Read:

Author:

Homer

Title:

The Odyssey

Genre:

Poetry, Greek epic poem in English prose translation

Form of Text:

Print: Book

Publication Details

English prose translation by S.H. Butcher and Andrew Lang. London: Macmillan, 1879

Provenance

unknown


Source Information:

Record ID:

34187

Source:

Print

Author:

Freya Stark

Editor:

n/a

Title:

Beyond Euphrates: Autobiography 1928-1933

Place of Publication:

London

Date of Publication:

1951

Vol:

n/a

Page:

25

Additional Comments:

n/a

Citation:

Freya Stark, Beyond Euphrates: Autobiography 1928-1933, (London, 1951), p. 25, http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/reading/UK/record_details.php?id=34187, accessed: 26 April 2024


Additional Comments:

Dame Freya Madeline Stark (31 January 1893 - 9 May 1993) was a British explorer and travel writer. This experience took place during October 1928 during an Atlantic crossing from England to Canada on board the SS Athenia.

   
   
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