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| Book Review — Special to ClubMemoir.org |
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Rudyard Kipling, famous for his
children’s stories, Kim and The Jungle Book, has a lesser known
side, that of a respected and prolific political thinker of his era.
His pen led him around the world and into association with presidents and
royalty. Replete with illustrations, footnotes, and lengthy bibliography,
The Long Recessional offers an engaging look at
Kipling’s political life and writing.
The biography begins with Kipling’s early life, introduces his parents and
sister (all together known as "the Family Square"), and describes his education.
Young Kipling got his journalistic beginnings working as assistant editor
for "the only daily paper in the Punjab." Although just a teenager,
Kipling began to hone his writing skills as well as develop strong political
opinions based on the happenings in India and the effects of British rule
on the country.
Kipling’s love of travel soon acquainted him with the rest of the British
Empire. As a result, the imperial spirit began to dominate his writing
and thought. Interestingly, Kipling’s work often predicted history
— from Britain’s struggles in South Africa and India to World War II.
As Gilmour notes, "Kipling had never wanted to be an active player in politics.
He liked to be a coach on the sidelines, bellowing at the team and occasionally
running on to the pitch…" Kipling’s coaching and bellowing often took
the form of poetry, inspiring some of his best work such as "If" and "Recessional."
Also, when someone’s politics didn’t agree with his, Kipling was liable to
lambaste the person with vicious verse. However, he kept his allusions
subtle enough that the true target wasn’t always obvious. For example,
Winston Churchill loved Kipling’s work, apparently oblivious to the poetic
barbs the writer had aimed at him. Using a combination of quotes, excerpts,
and prose, Gilmour offers interesting insights into Kipling’s veiled meanings
by examining the historical context of the writer’s work.
Erudite and thorough, the biography spans from Kipling’s humble beginnings
to his death as a well-known literary and public figure. Expect to
learn something from this book, not only about Rudyard Kipling, but about
history, about literature, about humanity and the way they create each other.
The Jungle Book won’t look the same again.
— Viveka E. Neveln
ClubMemoir.org Book Review Editor
This book review is the property of
its author and ClubMemoir.org.
It may not be reproduced without the prior consent of ClubMemoir.org
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The Long Recessional: The Imperial Life of Rudyard
Kipling