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Paperback The Autobiography of a Super-Tramp Book

ISBN: 1908946075

ISBN13: 9781908946072

The Autobiography of a Super-Tramp

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Format: Paperback

Condition: New

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Book Overview

A successful book in its time, now regarded as a classic, Autobiography of a Super-tramp relays the experiences of a young, destitute Welshman in America and Britain. The pen of W. H. Davies, vagabond and writer, reveals a fascinating picture of a vast, bustling continent intent on its own affairs and of a Britain on the cusp of change between old certainties and an uneasy future. Near the turn of the century, when he was 22, Davies' restless spirit led him to the United States, where he worked around the country taking casual jobs where he could, thieving and begging where he couldn't. His experiences were richly colored by the bullies, tricksters, and fellow adventurers he encountered--New Haven Baldy, Wee Shorty, the Indian Kid, and English Harry, to name but a few. He was thrown into prison in Michigan, beaten up in New Orleans, witnessed a lynching in Tennessee, and got drunk pretty well everywhere. A harrowing accident forced him to return to England and the seedy world of doss-houses and down-and-outs like Boozy Bob and Irish Tim. When George Bernard Shaw first read the manuscript of Davies' adventures, he was stunned by the raw power of its unvarnished narrative.

Customer Reviews

2 ratings

great story!

nothing to say but simply brilliant! the world these days has lost so much influence, love, desire and intelligence for writing novels. today you have these horrible fairy tale books, the awfully ridiculous vampire-rant with the whole twilight series and biographies on barack obama. mr. davies' autobiography is one of the best pieces of literature i have ever read. a must read for into the wild fans or throeau fans as well.

A masterpiece

A timeless tale of a man who, by little fault of his own, finds the world has turned its back to him. The book is a true story, about the author's own struggle to exist, to exist and to write. A heart-warming account of how the penniless among society survive and sometime realize the dreams we all have within. A true starving artist. Davies really did starve for his art. He achieved an amazing feat by saved his meager pennies for long cruel and cold years and months. He lived homelessly or more properly `tramped about'. Davies realized his dream and paid for the self-publishing of his first set of poems. The preface by George Bernard Shaw after reading the works Davies sent him, recounted how Shaw found Davies living in a homeless shelter in London. Sadly this book is no longer in print but can likely be found in most libraries.
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