Record Number: 29902

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Reading Experience:

Evidence:

'After a less than frugal luncheon (no ice aboard) I made an attempt to read "The Egoist" (a tattered copy of which lay on the desk) but gave it up and lay, practically for the rest of the voyage, a high heaved and higher-heaving log of uncomplaining misery.[...] In more conscious moments contrived almost to finish the unique "Egoist" (last read at Cambridge): near the end it approaches a high tragic Vaudeville, and [De] Craye's wit does not wear well; but how direct and simple the whole effect, and how much easier and more compelling than Henry James.'

Century:

1900-1945

Date:

Between 29 Sep 1916 and 2 Oct 1916

Country:

At sea

Time

afternoon: first reading of text

Place:

other location: on board the "Espiègle" in Red Sea between Jeddah and Suez

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

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Reader / Listener / Reading Group:

Reader:

Ronald Storrs

Age:

Adult (18-100+)

Gender:

Male

Date of Birth:

19 Nov 1881

Socio-Economic Group:

Professional / academic / merchant / farmer

Occupation:

diplomat (colonial civil servant)

Religion:

Christian (Anglican)

Country of Origin:

England

Country of Experience:

At sea

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

n/a

Additional Comments:

n/a

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Text Being Read:

Author:

George Meredith

Title:

The Egoist

Genre:

Fiction

Form of Text:

Print: Book

Publication Details

first published 1879

Provenance

Found

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Source Information:

Record ID:

29902

Source:

Print

Author:

Ronald Storrs

Editor:

n/a

Title:

Orientations

Place of Publication:

London (Readers Union Edn.)

Date of Publication:

1939 (1937)

Vol:

n/a

Page:

170

Additional Comments:

Diary entry 29th September 1916, incorporated into source text.

Citation:

Ronald Storrs, Orientations, (London (Readers Union Edn.), 1939 (1937)), p. 170, http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/reading/UK/record_details.php?id=29902, accessed: 09 May 2025

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Additional Comments:

Storrs refers earlier in his memoirs (p.13 of source text) to reading ("deep drinking") of Meredith at Cambridge.