Category Archives: History

Our Favorite Holiday Stories

Happy Holidays, Bibliophiles! With the holiday season having dawned bright and early the day after Thanksgiving (though we held off on decorating until December 1st, we are excited to report), we are trying to get into the spirit of the season! There’s nothing quite like curling up by a fire with a good book in the Winter, so we thought we’d pay homage to some of the most beloved, most culturally significant, and popular holiday stories of all time. In no particular order (though we of course saved the best [in our humble opinion] for last), enjoy some of our holiday favorites!

1. “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” by Dr. Seuss (Or Theodor Geisel) was published in 1957 and was an immediate success. The grouchy protagonist is not without fault and through the course of the book learned the ‘true’ meaning of Christmas. With unforgettable characters and an ability to inspire both children and adults alike, this book is a definite fan favorite of the Christmas season.

2. “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” by Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann was published in 1816 as a German novella, about a young woman adventures after her favorite toy comes alive on Christmas Eve. Known primarily for the ballet based on this story (the ballet by Tchaikovsky having come about in 1892), this story through its adaptation has made it all around the world. We would bet that “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” is one of the most culturally significant stories of the season because of this very reason!

3. “Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins” by Eric Kimmel is a relatively new holiday story, having been published in only 1989. However, it won the National Jewish Book Awards for both its writing and its illustrations, and has become a staple in the Jewish community. This modern folktale uses both humor and heroism as Hershel outwits goblins to save Hanukkah celebrations and win his synagogue back, night after night. The rich storytelling and beautiful drawings has earned it a place on our list for the holiday season.

4. “Twas the Night Before Christmas” by Clement Clark Moore is a poem written in 1823, and is also known as “A Visit from St. Nicholas”. This poem is widely read and even memorized throughout the English speaking world, and has inspired countless illustrated versions throughout history. While the story initially was published on December 23rd anonymously, It was almost fifteen years later that Moore would claim authorship of a poem that has helped solidify much of the modern imagery of Santa Claus (i.e. his sleigh, reindeer, and jolly demeanor). As a mascot of one of the largest holidays of the year, a cozy poem about Santa no doubt hit sky high popularity immediately after it was published, and has remained just as popular ever since!

And last but CERTAINLY not least…

5. “A Christmas Carol” by our main man Charles Dickens, was published on the 19th of December, 1843. By Christmas Eve, the edition had completely sold out! The timeless tale of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge who is transformed by the visits of three ghosts has become synonymous with the spirit of Christmas. A Christmas Carol uses themes of redemption, generosity and holiday cheer to encourage an enduring message about compassion and human connection. And while this story is perhaps the quintessential Christmas book with how it is credited with shaping modern Christmas traditions (like the focus of the season on charity, family and goodwill towards your fellow humans), we would argue that the messages it portrays about redemption, forgiveness and transformation are relevant all year round!

*Our 1869 edition of Dickens’ famous holiday work has beautiful gilt to the cover. Very festive indeed!*

Perhaps we can all adopt the Icelandic practice of “Jolabokaflod”, which translates literally to “Christmas Book Flood” and involves the exchanging of books on Christmas Eve and the celebration of a quiet night of reading them together! Sounds like a perfect holiday tradition to us, don’t you agree?

Happy Holidays from Tavistock Books!

D.H. Lawrence’s Life and Legacy in Literature

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If you remove book bans and decency disputes from your knowledge of D.H. Lawrence, what are you left with? Though Lawrence’s works were often met with controversy, he is now regarded as one of the 20th century’s most important writers. True, his frank discussions of sexuality broke new ground, allowing future authors to explore similar themes with greater freedom… but besides novels, Lawrence was also a prolific poet, an essayist, and even a painter. His body of work spans travel books, short stories, plays and literary criticism… and we thought it was high time we knew a bit more about this author!

David Herbert Lawrence, better known as D.H. Lawrence, was born on September 11, 1885, in Nottinghamshire, England. He was the son of a coal miner and a schoolteacher, and his working-class background later played a significant role in shaping his literary voice. The tensions between his illiterate, laboring father and his more educated, aspirational mother created themes that would later surface in his writing, especially in his exploration of class and relationships.

Lawrence’s education began locally, but his academic aptitude earned him a scholarship to Nottingham High School, and later he trained to become a teacher. However, his passion for writing began to flourish after he published his first novel, The White Peacock, in 1911. It wasn’t long before he left teaching to fully pursue his literary ambitions. While The White Peacock might have opened his eyes to the possibility of a different career, it was his novel Sons and Lovers, published in 1913, that established him as a major writer on the literary stage. This novel drew from his own life experiences, portraying the complex relationship between a young man and his mother, and is often considered one of his most autobiographical works.

Lawrence’s writings were marked by a deep exploration of human emotion, nature, and sexuality, which (one might imagine correctly) often led to controversy at the time. His novels Women in Love (1920) and Lady Chatterley’s Lover (1928), greatly pushed social and moral boundaries of the time, resulting in censorship and bans. The latter, in particular, was banned in several countries due to its frank portrayal of sexual relationships and the critique of class structures. That all being said, these specific works are now seen as pioneers in their honest depiction of human relationships and desires.

Lawrence’s personal life was as tumultuous as his career. In 1912, he fell in love with Frieda Weekley, the wife of one of his former professors. In the face of scandal, they eloped and spent much of their lives traveling across Europe, Australia and North America together – a period of time Lawrence referred to as his “savage pilgrimage.” These travels inspired many of Lawrence’s later works, and truly helped shape his voice as a narrator of the human experience. He died in 1930 at the age of 44.

Despite the controversies surrounding his works during his lifetime, D.H. Lawrence is now recognized as one of the most influential literary figures of the 20th century. His exploration of human relationships (particularly his willingness to depict sexuality as a central force in human life) challenged societal norms and censorship laws. This challenge, in turn, helped pave the way for greater freedom of expression in the world of literature – his impact can be seen in the works of writers such as Aldous Huxley and Anaïs Nin, who admired the bold exploration of personal freedom. Today, his influence spans modernist literature, poetry, and even discussions on personal freedom and societal constraints. Happy 139th Birthday to D.H. Lawrence!

A Peek into William Makepeace Thackeray’s Literary Anonymity

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William Makepeace Thackeray was quite a well-known name in 19th-century literature, as he was known for his sharp wit and satirical social observations. Despite being a famed author, he interestingly also used pseudonyms for various reasons throughout his life. Whereas nowadays authors may use pseudonyms for anonymity and privacy reasons, I believe Thackeray’s usage were for rather different reasons!

Several of Thackeray’s pseudonymous works were published early on in his writing career. Writing under a different name gave Thackeray the freedom to try new styles and genres without worrying about his reputation. Early on, he used names like “Michael Angelo Titmarsh” and “George Savage Fitz-Boodle”, especially for some of the satirical sketches and essays he published. These silly aliases let him get creative without the pressure of a failure staining his reputation.

Thackeray also most likely used pseudonyms to avoid harsh criticism. Critics could be brutal, and using an alias allowed him to publish riskier or more experimental work (like “Catherine” which glamorized criminal life, or “The Yellowplush Papers”, which featured a footman as the narrator) without putting his name on the line. This way, he could distance himself from any work that might not be well-received, protecting his growing reputation. And as I mentioned earlier, his novels often had sincerely sharp social commentary, and hiding behind a pseudonym let him critique a society and its people more freely without immediate backlash.

In the 19th century, writers had to produce quite a lot of work to make a living (I suppose some things never change). Thackeray often wrote for various magazines and periodicals and made extra money, and using pseudonyms for these definitely helped him diversify his work. He could write for multiple, very different publications simultaneously without people realizing it was all him. This not only expanded his reach and voice, but boosted his income to boot.

Thackeray was well-known for his playful nature, and using pseudonyms seemed to be part of his fun. It was a more common practice among writers of the time, and Thackeray probably enjoyed creating different personas. This added mystery and amusement to his work, keeping readers and critics alike guessing about the real author.

William Makepeace Thackeray’s use of pseudonyms was a clever strategy for the author. It gave him creative freedom, shielded him from harsh criticism, helped him navigate the literary world privately, all while showing his playful side. Entertaining thoughts of why Thackeray used aliases gives us deeper insight into the man behind a few of the most enduring works of English literature.

“‘The Newcomes: Memoirs of a Most Respectable Family’ is a novel by William Makepeace Thackeray under the pseudonym Arthur Pendennis, Esq., first published in 1854-55. It explores the lives and fortunes of the Newcome family, delving into themes of social class, morality, and the complexities of human relationships, all portrayed with Thackeray’s characteristic wit and keen social observation.” Check out our 1st Book Edition VG set here!

The 1857 Tidal Wave that was Madame Bovary

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Gustave Flaubert’s Madame Bovary didn’t just make a splash in the literary world — its release caused something more akin to a tidal wave. When it was published in 1857 (or, correction, after its author was acquitted from a trial on the obscenity of the book after its serialized release in 1856), it positively sank the boat of traditional storytelling and forever changed the literary landscape of the world of fiction.

One of the key ways Madame Bovary turned things around was with its bold portrayal of realism. Flaubert didn’t sugarcoat anything – he presented life as it was, warts and all. From the monotony of small-town existence to the harsh realities of adultery and disillusionment alike, Flaubert quite obviously didn’t shy away from the more gritty details of adult life. It wasn’t just the scandalous affairs that made Madame Bovary famous – it was the way Flaubert captured the human condition. He confronted the ugly parts of life – the jealousy, heartbreak and crushing disappointment – and laid them all out there for the world to see, unflinching and unapologetic. This commitment to the realistic style was pretty groundbreaking, and one could argue that it paved the way for future authors to explore the complexities of human experience in a more honest and unfiltered way than previous Victorian literature.

Another way Flaubert and Madame Bovary left their mark was through his distinctive narrative style. Flaubert had a meticulous attention to detail and used a form of indirect discourse and conversation that allowed readers to dive into the minds of his characters, not just view them from afar. In this way, we didn’t just observe Emma Bovary’s actions – but readers felt her desires, her frustrations and her despair. This engrossing literary technique was influential in setting a new standard for psychological and emotional depth in literature. Flaubert is cited by hundreds of writers that followed in his footsteps as the reason for their ability to explore the inner lives of their characters with greater complexity.

Another significant impact Madame Bovary had was its challenge to societal norms. Flaubert was brave enough to critique the superficiality and hypocrisy of French society, particularly its treatment of women. Madame Bovary’s quest for passion, excitement and fulfillment in an unbelievably stifling patriarchal world struck a chord with readers of the day. It was able to spark conversations about gender roles, marriage, and individual autonomy (whether male or female) – all topics hot on our minds still today. In doing so, Madame Bovary became not just a work of fiction, but one could see it as a stimulus for social change.

Madame Bovary didn’t just change the literary landscape of the mid 1800s, it reshaped it entirely. Flaubert’s revolutionary approach to the realistic style, his open and deep narrative techniques, and the social commentary throughout the book ensured its place as a timeless masterpiece that still inspires readers to this day. Because in the end, Madame Bovary is a book about longing, about a human search for something more. And who hasn’t felt that at some point in their lives?

What We Can Learn from Evelyn Waugh’s “Scott-King’s Modern Europe”

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When you think of the name Evelyn Waugh, titles like Brideshead Revisited and A Handful of Dust probably come to mind. Waugh, an author known for his biting satire and meticulously written prose, was a prolific author of the 20th century. His novella “Scott-King’s Modern Europe” is a classic example of Waugh’s satirical work – complete with profound insights into (unfortunate) cultural decline, the crumbling of “traditional” values, and the occasional absurdity of modern life. Despite its brevity (the work is only 88 pages), this novella is an almost perfect example of Waugh’s trademark wit and language while offering sharp social commentary.

Set in post-World War II Europe, “Scott-King’s Modern Europe” follows (lo-and-behold) the character of Mr. Scott-King, a classics professor at an English public school, as he sets off on a cultural exchange program to the fictional European state of the “Modern European Republic”. At the beginning of the story, Scott-King shows reluctance to participate fully in the trip, feeling a dedication to preserving the traditions and manners of classical education in a progressively more and more modern, utilitarian world. However, as time passes and as Mr. Scott-King sees absurd bureaucratic nonsense and the inanity of this “Modern European Republic”, he finds himself staring straight into the harsh (yet at times comical) realities of the cultural and moral decline of his world.

Central in the novella is Waugh’s rather scathing critique of modernity and its impact on education, culture, and society in general. Comparing the polar opposites of the world of classical academia and the fairly soulless modern functional bureaucracy, Waugh found a way to reveal the occasionally empty promises of progress and pragmatism. The protagonist’s extreme commitment to the concepts of a classical education and tradition seem to be a rather uncomfortable reminder to value knowledge, tradition and manners in an age obsessed with the superficial, with expediency and convenience. Sound familiar to anyone else? Seems like a reminder we could all use today. And this was written in 1947… clearly it’s an enduring problem!

Throughout the book, Waugh’s writing is full of subtle irony and dark humor – classic hallmarks of his satires. The novella might be short, but don’t let that fool you. Waugh deftly handles themes of identity and disillusionment, not to mention the human battle between our idealistic and realistic feelings and desires. Mr. Scott-King himself is something of a tragicomic character, with a hint of the absurd yet heroic in his own way. He sticks to his principles, even to the detriment of his relationships with those around him. While coming across as a bit of a “stick-in-the-mud”, he also isn’t necessarily wrong in his breakdown of a modern, unfeeling society.

Despite being published almost eight decades ago, Waugh’s work remains almost remarkably relevant in his critique of contemporary society. Here in the 21st century, we struggle with similar issues! Perhaps we can all take a lesson from Waugh’s commentary and incorporate more traditions and values into our modern society.

Check out our 1st edition copy here!

A Look at Charles Dickens’ Thoughts on America

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This being his birth month, we couldn’t possibly let the month go by without a blog on our main man – Charles Dickens. Our Victorian celebrity gifted the world with timeless tales of love, loss, and, of course, the occasional ghostly visitation (what happy, holiday story would be the same without one?). Did you know though, that when it came to his adventures touring in America, Charles was full of wit and humor… and dismay, at our strange American customs? If not, buckle up – you’re in for a ride! (Yet another American idiom he probably would have hated!)

First on Dickens’ list of American annoyances was the peculiar trait of what he called “Yankee Doodle Dandies” – who chewed tobacco with (apparently) all the grace of a cow chewing cud. Dickens was disgusted at the sight of fully grown men spitting wads of brown gunk on the sidewalks like it was going out of fashion. He wrote about this disturbing habit, “One wonders if they mistake the streets for spittoons or simply enjoy adding a dash of rustic charm to the pavements.” Honestly? Yuck – he’s not wrong.

Dickens also couldn’t help but poke fun at what he perceived as a showy nature of American hospitality. “In England we’re content with a pot of tea and a biscuit, but in America, one must navigate a veritable maze of gilded mirrors and chandeliers just to find the water closet!” How difficult it must have been for him, trying to find his way through lavish mazes of American excess! (I have seen Downton Abbey… who is he calling excessive?!)

And of course, one can not forget Dickens’ abhorrence for general American cuisine! The man who wrote descriptions of an amazing amount of delectable Christmas feasts found himself absolutely disconcerted by our culinary creations. From “chili con carne” (delicious – did he even try it?) to an apparently confounding combination of turkey and cranberry sauce, Dickens found his stomach not in agreement with American cooking. Not to mention our sheer nerve: “One can only wonder at the audacity of a nation that serves pie without custard!”

Despite all of his reservations at our strange customs and interesting inventions (I would consider turkey with cranberry sauce an invention, after all), Dickens nevertheless had moments of true admiration for the people of the United States. He appeared impressed by the spirit of democracy that seemed openly expected and understood by all the people he met here on his travels, and he found the general optimism of our nation delightful. I suppose his final conclusion was that “America may be a land of eccentricities and culinary calamities, but it is also a land of opportunity and innovation – a place where even the most unlikely of dreams can take flight.” Hear, hear!

“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day”: An In-Depth Look at Winnie-the-Pooh’s Author A. A. Milne on the Anniversary of His Death

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In the enchanted world of children’s literature, a few household names stand out to the average reader. Not many of them evoke the same sense of nostalgia and peace in us as A. A. Milne – the creator of Winnie-the-Pooh. On this the anniversary of his death, we wanted to take a look at what made Pooh, the endearing inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Wood, and A. A. Milne unique, and how he crafted stories that continue to this day to captivate generations both young and old.

Born on January 18, 1882, Alan Alexander Milne lived a relatively peaceful childhood. He was brought up in London, attended the small independent school his father ran (fun fact: at one point H.G. Wells was one of Milne’s teachers!), and then went on to the Westminster School and to Trinity College, Cambridge where he received a B.A. in Mathematics. He was a talented cricket player and played on a couple different teams, one of which was the Allahakbarries, Peter Pan author J. M. Barrie’s cricket team (along with teammates such as Arthur Conan Doyle and P.G. Wodehouse). To say that Milne was privileged and knew all the right people to join the literary scene was an understatement!

After his graduation, Milne wrote humorous essays and articles for Punch magazine. While working for Punch, he published 18 plays and three novels, all of which were well received (even if they did not achieve the literary acclaim that Pooh did, years later). In 1913 he married, and in 1920 his son, Christopher Robin, was born. Milne served in both WWI and later WWII, and considered himself a very proud Englishman.

After a successful career as a playwright and humorist, Milne turned to his son Christopher Robin for inspiration in his next work. Not yet called “Pooh”, Christopher Robin’s bear first appeared in Milne’s poem “Teddy Bear” in Punch magazine in 1924. He then appeared on Christmas Eve in 1925, in the London Evening News in a short story. Winnie-the-Pooh, however, made headlines in the first book about him, published in 1926, when Christopher Robin was six years old. Two years later, Milne published The House at Pooh Corner, the second book set in the Hundred Acre Wood. Throughout this time, Milne continued working on other things, and even published four plays in these “Pooh” years.

Both Milne and Christopher Robin’s relationship with Winnie-the-Pooh was strained. During his childhood years, they enjoyed a close personal relationship. However, soon A. A. Milne found himself disappointed that his childish work was overshadowing the multitude of other works he had created over the years. He hated the constant demand for more Pooh stories, and he wished to be taken more seriously as an author than he felt he was. On Christopher Robin’s part, he was relentlessly bullied at school for being the Christopher Robin, and ended up resenting his father for trapping him forever in association with the popular children’s story. We like to think that this bit of Pooh’s history reminds us that art and life aren’t always two completely separate things.

That being said, how has Pooh pulled on our heartstrings the way he has, for almost a hundred years now? We believe that the simplicity and innocence of the Hundred Acre Wood, which is an idyllic place in and of itself, serves as a safe refuge for us, even in our imaginations. The gentle humor and (often pretty profound) wisdom of the books invites all ages to enjoy them. Pooh himself reminds us of the joy of simple pleasures – from a jar full of honey to a day out with a good friend.

As we celebrate the life and legacy of A. A. Milne and Winnie-the-Pooh, we are reminded in an often chaotic and uncertain world to cherish moments of joy, embrace our sense of childish wonder, and hold fast to our friendships – for these are the things that will sustain us through rough times.