― Rudyard Kipling, Kim
Depending on which way political winds have blown over the years - Kipling has been unanimously praised or fiercely derided for the imperialistic ideas that are undercurrents present in his India-based works.
Was he racist in how he described India’s peoples? Did he hold late-Victorian prejudices that - although commonplace during his time - leave us uncomfortable as today’s readers?
“I have seen something of this world," she said over the trays, "and there are but two sorts of women in it-- those who take the strength out of a man, and those who put it back. Once I was that one, and now I am this.”
― Rudyard Kipling, Kim
In 2018 students at the University of Manchester painted over a mural of a Rudyard Kipling poem - explaining that they felt that he “dehumanised people of colour” and stood for “the opposite of liberation, empowerment and human rights”.
Rudyard Kipling has written long-loved classics such as; The Jungle Book, Captains Courageous, The Man Who Would Be King, Just So Stories and Kim. Kim will be my first Rudyard Kipling read. I am interested in looking further into this writer and will be on a sharp lookout for just how his writing makes me feel.
“There is no sin so great as ignorance. Remember this.”
― Rudyard Kipling, Kim
Born in Bombay, India on December 30th, 1865 - Joseph Rudyard Kipling held a deep and lifelong love and identification with the country and it found its way into much of his writing. Although he was taken back to England by his parents when he was six years old - he strongly identified himself as an an “Anglo-Indian” and had a sense of belonging to India that followed him through much of his life.
“India was awake, and Kim was in the middle of it, more awake and more excited than anyone, chewing on a twig that he would presently use as a toothbrush; for he borrowed right- and left-handedly from all the customs of the country he knew and loved.”
― Rudyard Kipling, Kim
Kipling was a versatile, prolific and highly popular writer in both prose and verse during the later 19th and early 20th centuries and a winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1907. The prize specifically noted that it was given in consideration of the power of observation, originality of imagination, virility of ideas and remarkable talent for narration with characterized the works of this world-famous author.
“Those who beg in silence starve in silence,”
― Rudyard Kipling, Kim
The novel Kim was first published in serial form in McClure’s Magazine from December 1900 to October 1901, in Cassell’s Magazine from January to November 1901 and first published in book form in October 1901 by Macmillan & Co Ltd.
Kim is widely considered to be Kipling’s best work - his masterpiece. It constantly appears on Best Novel and Books To Read During Your Lifetime lists - and was included on the BBC’s The Big Read poll of the UK’s best loved novels. In many respects it has been greatly loved because of the adventure aspects of the main character - Kimball O’Hara - orphaned son of an Irish soldier and poor Irish mother during the time of the British rule in 19th century India.
But is it pro-Empire? Is it insensitive of the peoples of India? Will the reader of today’s sensibilities enjoy the story or feel disturbed by its themes and descriptions.
“Kim dived into the happy Asiatic disorder which, if you only allow time, will bring you everything that a simple man needs.”
― Rudyard Kipling, Kim
We will meet to discuss this last book in our current study - Kim by Rudyard Kipling - on Saturday October 19, 2019 over an early Summer Book Breakfast. Clearly - there is a lot to discuss with this next read. Grab a copy and read along with us!
“This is a brief life, but in its brevity it offers us some splendid moments, some meaningful adventures.”
― Rudyard Kipling, Kim
― Rudyard Kipling, Kim
