A classic reissue of Richard Holmes’s brilliant book on Samuel Johnson’s friendship with the poet Richard Savage, which won the James Tait Black Prize for Biography.
Dr Johnson & Mr Savage is the story of a mysterious eighteenth-century friendship. Richard Savage was a poet, playwright and convicted murderer who roamed through the brothels and society salons of Augustan England creating a legend of poetic injustice. Strangest of all his achievements was the friendship he inspired in Samuel Johnson, then a young, unknown schoolmaster just arrived in London to seek his literary fortune. This puzzling intimacy helped to form Johnson’s experience of the world and human passions, and led to his masterpiece The Life of Richard Savage, which revolutionized the art of biography and virtually invented the idea of the poet as a romantic, outcast figure.
Richard Holmes gradually reconstructs this alliance, throwing suprising new light on the character of Dr Johnson. This extraordinary book also questions the very nature of life-writing and exposes the conflicts between friendship, truth and advocacy which the modern form has inherited.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
' Dr Johnson & Mr Savage ' is the story of a mysterious eighteenth-century friendship. Richard Savage was a poet, playwright and convicted murderer who roamed through the brothels and society salons of Augustan England creating a legend of poetic injustice. Strangest of all his achievements was the friendship he inspired in Samuel Johnson, when a young, unknown schoolmaster just arrived in London to seek his literary fortune. This puzzling intimacy helped to form Johnson's experience of the world and human passions, and led to his masterpiece ' The Life of Richard Savage, ' which revolutionised the art of biography and virtually invented the idea of the poet as a romantic outcast figure. Richard Holmes gradually reconstructs this alliance, throwing surprising new light on the character of Dr Johnson. This extraordinary book also questions the very nature of life-writing and exposes the conflicts between friendship, truth and advocacy which the modern form has inherited.
"As tense as a detective story and as rich as a Hogarth print, this is the work of a master-biographer."
JOHN CAREY, 'Sunday Times'
"A chiaroscuro masterpiece."
DAVID NOKES, 'Times Literary Supplement'
"Holmes, one of the most subtle and imaginative of contemporary biographers, is a virtuoso sleuth, and inspired rooter out of the human being netted in the web of words spun by a poem or a memoir. He combines scholarship with a rare gift of empathy, a deep personal involvement with his subject... His writing seems to glow from the fusion of an acute critical intelligence with deep poetic and imaginative insight."
PATRICK TAYLOR-MARTIN, 'Literary Review'
"Holmes, our most acute and elegant literary biographer, animates the story with wonderful sympathy and intelligence. I cannot imagine that a better book could be written on this fascinating subject."
ALLAN MASSIE, 'Daily Telegraph'
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Book Description Condition: Good. Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains. Seller Inventory # J10N-00235
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Book Description Soft cover. Condition: Near Fine. Trade paperback reissue. Near fine. Seller Inventory # ES1810A
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Dr Johnson and Mr Savage: A Biographical Mystery This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 7719-9780006548249
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Used; Very Good. Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. Though second-hand, the book is still in very good shape. Minimal signs of usage may include very minor creasing on the cover or on the spine. Seller Inventory # CHL1876026
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780006548249
Book Description Condition: Very Good. Ships from the UK. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 196131-6
Book Description Soft cover. Condition: Fine. Fine copy. No inscriptions. Seller Inventory # 040836
Book Description Condition: Good. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has soft covers. Clean from markings. In good all round condition. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,300grams, ISBN:9780006548249. Seller Inventory # 9442272
Book Description Mass Market Paperback. Condition: Fine. 260pp. A very clean, tight copy. The story of the friendship between the young Dr Johnson and the poet and convicted murderer Richard Savage. Seller Inventory # 8002