The Member And The Radical (Canongate Classics): 71 (Canongate Classics, 31) - Softcover

John Galt

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0862416426 ISBN 13: 9780862416423

Publisher: Canongate Books, 2001

Synopsis

Galt's two great political novels date from around the passing of the Reform Act of 1832. "The Member" has claims to be the first political novel in the English language and is a tour de force of wit, observation, and a devastating critique of political self-seekings. Its hero is a Scot, newly returned from India, who purchases a seat in a rotten borough. As a study of the corruption of the pre-reform parliament it is unsurpassed. "The Radical" is a study of narrow-minded, humorless fanaticism. Galt's aim is to demonstrate the fragility of the existing order and the closeness of anarchy to the surface of society. This is the first republication of "The Radical" since its original edition. Edited and introduced by P.H. Scott & Ian Gordon.

About this title

About the Author:

John Galt published "Life of Cardinal Wolsey" and a volume of tragedies in 1812, then turned to writing full-time after his marriage in 1813. A second novel, "The Majolo" (1816) was published but met with little success. Galt found his metier with "Ayrshire Legatees" (1820), purporting to be letters home from a family of Scots visiting London. Appearing anonymously in monthly instal;ments in Blackwoods Magazine, this work led directly to the publication of "Annals of the Parish" (1821), a gently ironic masterpiece. This was followed in the same vein by "The Provost" (1822), while "The Entail" and "Sir Andrew Wylie" (both 1822) had similar strengths, although structured as more conventional novels. "Ringan Gilhaize" (1923) took a darker turn in a unique psychological and historical study of Covenanting fervor and the "killing times" in the 17th century. Becoming involved with the development of Canada, he became supervisor for the Canada Company. Galt helped to settle Ontario and founded the town of Guelph. However, he was baldy treated by the directors and after four years abroad his health failed and he returned to London to face bankruptcy and a spell in the debtor's prison. His "Life of Lord Byron" (1830) was a controversial success and the novels" The Member" and "The Radical" (both 1832) took a searching look at his country's political life. After suffering a disabling series of strokes he worked on his" Autobiography" (1833) followed by" Literary Life and Miscellanies" (1834).

From the Back Cover:

The Member has claims to be the first political novel in the English language and is a tour de force of wit, observation, and a devastating critique of political self-seeking.The Radical is a study of narrow-minded, humourless fanaticism. Galt's aim is to demonstrate the fragility of the existing order and the closeness of anarchy to the surface of society.

About this edition

• Publisher: Canongate Books
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0862416426
• ISBN 13: 9780862416423
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 263