Kit Musgrave's Luck
Mar 2022 · Otbebookpublishing
Ebook
185
Pages
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About this ebook
Excerpt: "The morning was hot, and Kit Musgrave, leaning on the African liner's rail, watched the volcanic rocks of Grand Canary grow out of the silver haze. He was conscious of some disappointment, because on the voyage to Las Palmas he had pictured a romantic white city shining against green palms. Its inhabitants were grave Spaniards, who secluded their wives and daughters in old Moorish houses with shady patios where fountains splashed. Now he saw he had got the picture wrong. Las Palmas was white, but not at all romantic. A sandy isthmus, swept by rolling clouds of dust, connected the town and the frankly ugly port. The houses round the harbor looked like small brown blocks. Behind them rose the Isleta cinder hill; in front, coal-wharfs and limekilns, hidden now and then by dust, occupied the beach. Moreover, the Spaniards on board the boats about the ship were excited, gesticulating ruffians. Bombay peddlers, short, dark-skinned Portuguese, and Canario dealers in wine, tobacco, and singing birds, pushed up the gangway. All disputed noisily in their eagerness to show their goods to the passengers. Yet Kit was not altogether disappointed. Somehow the industrial ugliness of the port and the crowd's businesslike activity were soothing. Kit had not known much romantic beauty, but he knew the Lancashire mining villages and the mean streets behind the Liverpool docks. Besides, he was persuaded that commerce, particularly British commerce, had a civilizing, uplifting power."
About the author
Harold Bindloss (1866-1945) was a prolific British author whose adventure novels and romances captured the spirit of the early 20th century. Born in Liverpool, Bindloss initially pursued a career in business, which took him to various parts of the British Empire, including Canada and West Africa. These travels deeply influenced his writing, infusing his works with authentic settings and a keen sense of place.Bindloss's literary career began relatively late, but he quickly became known for his vivid storytelling and robust characters. His novels often explored themes of perseverance, moral integrity, and the rugged beauty of untamed landscapes, resonating with readers during a time of rapid societal change and imperial expansion. His portrayal of the Canadian wilderness, in particular, earned him a dedicated readership in both the UK and North America.Despite his popularity, Bindloss was not without controversy. His depictions of colonial life and indigenous peoples have been critiqued for their imperialist overtones, reflecting the complex and often problematic attitudes of his era. Nevertheless, his works provide valuable insights into the mindset and cultural dynamics of the early 20th century.Bindloss's influence extended to contemporary writers who admired his ability to blend adventure with romance and moral dilemmas. His narratives often championed the idea of the "self-made man," a revolutionary concept at the time, emphasizing individual effort and ethical conduct over social status.Today, Harold Bindloss is remembered as a significant figure in early 20th-century literature, whose adventurous tales continue to offer a window into the past while sparking the imaginations of modern readers.
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