Smoke in the Lanes - Softcover

Dominic Reeve

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1902806247 ISBN 13: 9781902806242

Publisher: University of Hertfordshire Press, 2007

Synopsis

This facsimile reprint with a foreword by Peter Ingram of this classic account of the reality of life as a Gypsy in the 1950s when Travellers lived in horse drawn wagons and stopped by the wayside in quiet country lanes wherever possible, but were often driven to “atch” beside main highways as so many of the old stopping-places were fenced-off or built upon.

This book is full of stories of life on the road and descriptions of colourful characters living for the present despite constant harassment by police and suspicious landowners.

The author, Dominic Reeve, still lives the life of a Traveller but in a modern caravan pulled by a heavily chromed four wheel drive pickup. Illustrated with his wife, Beshlie's fine drawings this is an inside account of “life on the road” and as such is of permanent value to both students and the general reader as a vivid portrayal of a vanished way of life.

About this title

About the Author

The author is notoriously secretive and his true name and any personal details about his past have never been publicly disclosed. It is known, however, that he took to the life of a Traveller in his late teens (he was not born a Gypsy) and although turned seventy continues to live and earn his living in the traditional way. His dislike for both academics and “do gooders” is balanced by his close friendship for fellow Travellers and his adherence to traditions which many of those born Gypsies have abandoned. His wife, who drew the illustrations, goes by the name of 'Beshlie' and her drawings were much admired by Augustus John (who painted her) and bought by Dame Laura Knight. Dominic and Beshlie regularly attend the traditional horse fairs at Stow but have no permanent fixed address and their publisher communicates with them via an accommodation address. His three books (each with illustrations by Beshlie) are considered to be the most accurate account of the evolving life of English Gypsies (Romanichal) and as such of lasting value. Their genuineness can be attributed to the author having lived the life of a Traveller for all his adult life.

Edition details

• Publisher: University of Hertfordshire Press
• Publication date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1902806247
• ISBN 13: 9781902806242
• Binding: Paperback
• Illustrator: " Beshlie"
• Number of pages: 312