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

Reading Experience Database UK Historical image of readers
 
 
 
 

Record Number: 32365


Reading Experience:

Evidence:

'(1) I have started — don't be surprised — "Rob Roy", which I suppose you have read long ago. I really don't know how I came to open it: I was looking for a book in the horribly scanty library of Gastons, and this caught my eye. I must admit that it was a very lucky choice, as I am now revelling in it. Isn't Die Vernon a good heroine — almost as good as Shirley? And the hero's approach through the wild country round his Uncle's hall in Northumberland is awfully good too.' (2) "Rob Roy" is done now ... and I must admit that I only skimmed the last three or four chapters: the worst of a book with a plot is that when the plot is over, the obvious "fixing up" is desperately tedious.' (3) 'Since I last wrote to you I have found the thought of a book done and yet not done intolerable, and therefore gone back and finished "Rob Roy". I am very glad I did so, as otherwise I should have missed the very vigorous scene in the library, and the equally satisfactory death of Rashleigh.'

Century:

1900-1945

Date:

Between 11 May 1916 and 6 Jun 1916

Country:

England

Time

n/a

Place:

Great Bookham
Surrey
'Gastons'

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:

Clive Staples Lewis

Age:

Child (0-17)

Gender:

Male

Date of Birth:

29 Nov 1898

Socio-Economic Group:

Professional / academic / merchant / farmer

Occupation:

Student

Religion:

Church of England

Country of Origin:

Northern Ireland

Country of Experience:

England

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

n/a


Additional Comments:

n/a



Text Being Read:

Author:

Walter Scott

Title:

Rob Roy

Genre:

Fiction, Historical novel

Form of Text:

Print: Book

Publication Details

n/a

Provenance

borrowed (private library)


Source Information:

Record ID:

32365

Source:

Print

Author:

C. S. Lewis

Editor:

Walter Hooper

Title:

C. S. Lewis Collected Letters

Place of Publication:

London

Date of Publication:

2000

Vol:

1

Page:

180, 186, 190-91

Additional Comments:

(1) From a letter to Arthur Greeves, 16 May 1916 (2) From a letter to the same, 30 May 1916 (3) From a letter to the same, 6 June 1916

Citation:

C. S. Lewis, Walter Hooper (ed.), C. S. Lewis Collected Letters, (London, 2000), 1, p. 180, 186, 190-91, http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/reading/UK/record_details.php?id=32365, accessed: 04 December 2024


Additional Comments:

None

   
   
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