The King's Wake and Other Ballads

George Borrow

Publisher: DigiCat

Summary

In "The King's Wake, and Other Ballads," George Borrow presents a collection of lyrical narratives steeped in the traditions of English folklore and local history. With a unique literary style that interweaves poetic form and rhythmic storytelling, Borrow captures the essence of 19th-century England, resonating with Romantic sensibilities while also showcasing influences from the oral traditions of balladry. The work reflects Borrow's fascination with mythic themes and national identity, exploring the cultural ramifications of monarchy and its relationship with the common people. George Borrow, a notable figure in the realms of travel writing and linguistics, has often been associated with the Romani culture and the landscapes of Spain and Britain. His passion for languages and folklore greatly informed this collection, as he traveled throughout England documenting the stories of ordinary people. Borrow's unique upbringing and various cultural encounters fueled his desire to highlight the overlooked traditions and narratives of the British Isles, making him a pioneering voice in the preservation of folk heritage. Readers seeking a rich tapestry of poetic storytelling will find "The King's Wake, and Other Ballads" to be a captivating exploration of cultural and historical nuances. This collection not only illuminates Borrow's narrative prowess but also invites the reader to engage with the echoes of a bygone era, reaffirming the enduring power of folklore in understanding the complexities of identity.

Available since: 09/16/2022.

Print length: 105 pages.

Other books that might interest you

Travels with a donkey in the...

Robert Louis Stevenson

Embark on a charming and contemplative journey through the picturesque Cévennes region of France in this timeless travelogue. Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes chronicles a unique solo adventure, blending humor, philosophy, and keen observation as the author treks through rugged landscapes with a donkey named Modestine as his companion.
 
Written with wit and wisdom, this story captures the beauty of the French countryside, the quirks of rural life, and the challenges of human-animal partnership. Along the way, you’ll discover the author's reflections on solitude, spirituality, and the simple joys of wandering far from the beaten path.
 
Perfect for listeners who love travel, nature, and literary classics, this audiobook invites you to escape to another time and place, savoring the rich details and timeless insights of a journey both physical and introspective.
 
Let the rhythmic pace of the story guide you through the winding trails of the Cévennes—where every step brings discovery, and every interaction deepens the experience of adventure.

Show book

Endometriosis – We are all Warriors

Angela Newland

This book will take you on an emotional journey about living with Endometriosis – it is a true story that has been written to raise much needed awareness about the condition, and to also reach out to others who think they might have Endometriosis or those who may have already had a diagnosis. It is a journey of hope, courage, and honesty, giving a sincere and heartfelt inside view of everything that can happen and has happened along this Endometriosis Warriors Journey. It addresses the subject of the long waits for diagnosis and appointments, the effects of Endometriosis on physical and mental health, as well as giving the reader some helpful advice, tips on things that can help, and where to get more information and support.

Show book

The Tourist

Phil Tufnell

ENTERTAINMENT SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024 
What Goes on Tour, Stays on Tour…Until Now! 
As a cricketer, broadcaster and celebrity jungle-dweller, Phil Tufnell has travelled the world far and wide. From the great cricket tours of Australia and South Africa to his equally memorable jaunts to Benidorm and Blackpool, Phil has spent much of his life living out of a suitcase, meeting a host of colourful and memorable characters along the way. 
The Tourist takes you out on the road, into the dressing room and behind the scenes of the commentary box to reveal just what really happens on Tour. Did Phil once push a baby grand piano down the stairs of a plush hotel? Did he accidentally eat a rat? Was he blamed for England being bowled out for 46 against the West Indies without even being in the team? 
There’s only one way to find out… 
It’s time to take a hilarious trip across the world with one of our most treasured sports personalities. 
Phil Tufnell, a top sports personality and famous explorer, shares his rich and interesting life in this autobiography. As the Sunday Times bestselling author, his adventures and explorations are a special recreation of his life. 
For fans of Shane Warne (Shane Warne's Century), Barry Johnston (The Wit of Cricket), Gideon Haigh (Ashes 2023), Peter Crouch (How to Be an Ex-Footballer), and Ian Wright (A Life in Football). 
HarperCollins 2023

Show book

Araby - From their pens to your...

James Joyce

James Augustine Aloysius Joyce was born on the 2nd February 1882 in Dublin into a middle-class family, and the eldest of ten surviving siblings
Admired as a brilliant student he briefly attended the Christian Brothers-run O'Connell School before excelling at the Jesuit schools of Clongowes and Belvedere. From there he went on to attend University College Dublin from 1898, studying English, French and Italian
In 1902, Joyce was now in his early twenties, and went to Paris to study Medicine but soon abandoned his teachings. Back in Dublin to attend to his dying Mother he met Nora Barnacle. They bonded immediately into a life-long match. Together they decided to emigrate to Europe. The couple lived in Trieste, Rome, Paris, and finally Zürich where Joyce pursued a variety of jobs and ventures to supplement his literary pursuits but none of these paid off.
After publishing a poetry volume, ‘Chamber Music’, in 1907, his short story collection ‘The Dubliners’, in 1914, helped establish his talent in the rapidly changing world.
Although far from home Joyce’s literary heart and works were set in his recollections of Dublin. Characters are close resemblances of family and friends and indeed enemies. His landmark work ‘Ulysses’, published in 1922, is set in the streets and alleyways of the city as it parallels Homer’s Odyssey in a variety of styles including its famed stream of consciousness.
His pen continued to produce classics of the order of ‘A Portrait of the Artist as A Young Man’ and ‘Finnegan’s Wake’ together with several volumes of poetry and a play ‘The Exiles, in 1918.
On the 11th January 1941, Joyce underwent surgery in Zürich for a perforated duodenal ulcer. The next day he fell into a coma. On the 13th after a brief period of lucidity in which he called for his wife and son he passed. He was 58.

Show book

David Hamilton's Long and...

David Hamilton

A Journey through Seven Decades of Radio and Tv David Hamilton's 'Long and Winding Road' has taken him from the remote farm in Sussex where he grew up, dreaming of the bright lights, to working all over the UK and in America in a broadcasting career that has lasted for seven decades, eventually bringing him back after over fifty years to the same farm where he started, from which he would broadcast on national radio in his mid-eighties. This road took David to Germany where, during his National Service in the RAF, he became one of the first DJs to play rock 'n' roll. Four years later, he did one of the first TV interviews with a new group called The Beatles. Since then he has presented thousands of radio shows and on television has hosted Top of the Pops, beauty contests, sports and game shows and appeared alongside top comedians. In this amazingly frank memoir, David tells what it was like working with such comedy greats as Ken Dodd, Benny Hill and Tommy Cooper; of the two serious car crashes he had in his twenties; of how he rode in a speedway race at Wembley Stadium; about his time as a football club director and how he played in the England team that won the World Cup in 1966. David writes of the beautiful women he has loved. His life, his loves, his laughs. It's all here, from one of Britain's most enduring broadcasters.

Show book

The World's Biggest Cash Machine...

Chris Blackhurst

'Jaw-dropping revelations . . . The incredible story of [Man United] laid bare in new book' - Daily Mail'A gripping tale, full of insight. Blackhurst is an enormously talented writer' – City A.M.From Chris Blackhurst, the former Editor of the Independent, comes The World's Biggest Cash Machine, a gripping and tightly reported account of how the Glazers, owners of Manchester United, became the most maligned figures in the Premier League, and how they changed the beautiful game forever.Manchester United’s supporters span the globe and cross generations. But, with few exceptions, they are united in their anger with the American family who bought their club in 2005, plunging it into record levels of debt. The Glazers’ reign has become synonymous with the financialization of football, and has coincided with fan protests and a decline of Manchester United’s fortunes on the pitch . . . if not on the balance sheet.But what defines this secretive family, and do these astute businessmen deserve the opprobrium they receive? In this captivating account, informed by interviews with key figures behind the scenes, journalist and commentator Chris Blackhurst charts the gripping story of the world’s biggest football club – as well as exploring the wider transformation of the Premier League into a playground for billionaire owners.'Packed with insights and details that will both amaze and appal you . . . if it doesn't make you angry, you need to check your pulse' – Oliver Bullough, author of Moneyland, on Too Big to Jail

Show book