The Book Bills Of Narcissus

by Richard Le Gallienne

""The Book Bills of Narcissus"" is a novel by Richard Le Gallienne, first published in 1908. The story revolves around the life of a young man named Narcissus Marsh who is deeply passionate about books and literature. He spends most of his time reading and collecting rare books, often spending more money than he can afford on his obsession. Narcissus is also deeply in love with a woman named Helen, but his obsession with books often gets in the way of their relationship. As the story progresses, Narcissus finds himself in financial trouble due to his excessive spending on books, and he must find a way to balance his love for literature with his responsibilities in the real world. The novel is a commentary on the dangers of obsession and the importance of finding balance in one's life. It is also a love letter to the world of literature and the power of books to enrich our lives. With its vivid descriptions of rare books and the world of literature, ""The Book Bills of Narcissus"" is a must-read for anyone who loves books and the written word.Yes! it was the same old Narcissus, and he was wielding just the same old magic, I could see, as in our class-rooms and playgrounds five years before. What is it in him that made all men take him so on his own terms, made his talk hold one so, though it so often stumbled in the dark, and fell dumb on many a verbal cul-de-sac? Whatever it is, Samuel felt it, and, with that fine worshipful spirit of his--an attitude which always reminds me of the elders listening to the boy Jesus--was doing that homage for which no beauty or greatness ever appeals to him in vain. What an eye for soul has Samuel!This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

76 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1891

About the author

Richard Le Gallienne was an English author and poet. The American actress Eva Le Gallienne was his daughter, by his second marriage.

Reviews

[Jim Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel’s very thin plot, about the life of a fictional fin-de-siècle poet Narcissus, gives LeGallienne the framework to discuss the poetry and poets of the 1890’s. And who better to analyze the trends of his day than this minor poet, member of the Rhymer’s Club, and friend of Oscar Wilde? This is an excellent source for those interested in hearing first-hand the influences of the poets of the day, especially those we would consider part of the Decadent School. LaGallienne traces the development of the young poet, first influenced by rare volumes found in used book stores. He is seduced by the fad for esoteric religions—The Catholic Revival, the Buddhists and the Theosophists, only to be disappointed at their worldly attempts to make money. The poet also loves his fellow poet, a man of genius, at whose feet he worships and whom he is shocked to find lives a conventional Victorian life with a wife and children that he tells bedtime stories to (the author seems to recalling visits to the Wilde home). And most importantly, he is inspired by the sight of pretty faces--the miller’s daughter, the public schoolgirl--women he falls in love with and then leaves for the next pretty face having gotten “a sonnet or two” from the encounters. All the influences and influencers of the Decadent Movement are mentioned and quoted here: Walt Whitman, Oscar Wilde, Rosetti, Swinbourne, Robert Browning, Keats and Shelley—an entertaining catalog of the Decadent Imagination written in an overly flowery and allusion-packed style.