by John Buchan
We had a fruitful discussion despite the precious few tonight but expanded on from the comments we had from the larger gang. As a means of reporting back I will pre-conclude;-) that the three of us were a little underwhelmed by the novel. I think there was an attempt to try to reconcile the white man’s burden so eloquently expressed by Davie in the last few paragraphs that he came to understand that white men assume responsibility for shaping the world’s destiny and that of all people’s simply because black men are lazy and irresponsible. To try to put this into the context of the time was one thing – to accept the use of the pejorative Kaffir so naturally used by Davie with the time in which Buchan was writing. Although we may have been more forgiving of this contemporary world view than Joe, one of our number (I misremember whether it was Brian or Mike) felt that not only was the story written for a younger audience, but that it also seemed to written by one with that same mentality – bottom-line it seemed like juvenile prose. I think the historian in me possibly allowed me to simply see it as a reflection of the time, where others felt it was not especially reflective even of the best of the time. As Brian stated, he felt generally unsatisfied with the novel as a story. I quote because I threatened I would and it is a fair statement – ‘it is as if I showed up at someone’s house for a home cooked meal and they spread out some french fries that they got at McDonald’s and called it a buffet’ – or something to that ilk.
I think it the general consensus that it is somewhat lacking and as Jim suggested to relate to Davie at all. I thought him sanctimonious to n extreme and this troubled any sense of establishing empathy for or connection with him as the protagonist. Spirit of the time one thing…
Nonetheless, all agreed it was good to read it, to read in areas we wouldn’t and to broaden our perceptions of writing as it may have been accepted in another time. Jim had raised similar topics being expressed possibly better in other examples and to think about the author within his own accomplishments. I did raise the sense that as Governor General of Canada Lord Tweedsmuir and Lady Tweedsmuir are remembered for their contributions to public service and the institutions that they established. I felt that this is reflected in the didactic nature of the delivery of Prester John…partly reflection of the time (must educate the young and impressionable minds of the future leaders of the nation) an partly a sense of duty to society. Or so I posit. Anyway, hope that is some feedback and apologise if a little more of my lingering thoughts. If those present want to throw in anything more, please do.
We decided to go with the suggestion of Stalingrad by Anthony Beevor as our official read for the next meeting.