NEW CHUM

by John Masefield ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 17, 1945

Twice postponed from its May date -- so we are repeating our report of 4/1. Another chapter from the youth of England's Poet Laureate -- a companion volume to his earlier In the Nill, but preceding that chronologically. It is almost incredible that anyone could remember in such meticulous detail virtually the daily and hourly events of an experience dating back to his fourteenth year but the result gives one a feeling of authenticity, of actually being able to share his experiences and emotions as he starts to serve his apprenticeship on the Conway, training ship for the merchant fleet -- back in 1888. There was a fairly violent form of hazing -- there was a wholly new language to learn -- there was abuse counterbalanced by kindliness, discipline that snacks of an early day when Britain's sailors were taught the hard way. And yet through it you get his deep-down love of the sea and ships. This book deals only with his period of training -- not with his service at sea. The market is primarily for those to whom ships are of paramount interest. There is little of Masefield the boy, apart from the intense concentration on the job in hand...Plus sale for boys.

Pub Date: July 17, 1945

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Macmillan

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1945

Categories: NONFICTION