The savage pilgrimage;: A narrative of D. H. Lawrence

by Catherine Carswell

Catherine Carswell (1879-1945), the novelist and biographer of Burns, was also a regular reviewer of new fiction in her early career. She became convinced that D. H. Lawrence was a great writer when she reviewed his first books, made his acquaintance, and became a lifelong and faithful friend. When John Middleton Murry's Son of Woman appeared shortly after Lawrence's death, Catherine Carswell was stung by its assumption that Murry understood Lawrence's 'case' and had explained it in his book. The Savage Pilgrimage was written partly in reply to Murry. Since it took angry exception to his criticisms, Murry thought it libellous, took legal action, and had it first suppressed, and then expurgated. This is a reprint of the original edition of 1932. The book survives the controversy with Murry: it was the first substantial biography of Lawrence, written by a close friend from direct knowledge, full of first-hand information, very sympathetic and understanding.

Genres: Literature, Biography

307 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1932

About the author

Catherine Roxburgh Carswell (née Macfarlane) was a Scottish author, biographer and journalist, and a contributor to the Scottish Renaissance. Her work is considered an integral part of Scottish women's writing of the early 20th century.

The daughter of a Glasgow merchant, Carswell was educated at the Park School. From 1901 to 1903 she attended classes in English Literature at Glasgow University. She went on to study music at the Schumann Conservatorium in Frankfurt am Main before taking up employment as reviewer and dramatic critic at the Glasgow Herald from 1907 until 1915. She was subsequently an assistant theatre critic for the Observer.

Carswell's first marriage, to Herbert Jackson in 1903, was annulled in 1908, and in 1915 she married Donald Carswell. Her first novel, Open the Door, was published in 1920, followed in 1922 by The Camomile. She developed a particular interest in the life and work of Robert Burns, publishing her celebrated The Life of Robert Burns in 1930: her unsentimental account of his life upset many Burns traditionalists. She was a close friend of DH Lawrence, and in 1932 she published The Savage Pilgrimage: a Narrative of DH Lawrence.

Reviews

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catherine Carswell (1879-1945) was a now largely forgotten writer, who knew D H Lawrence very well, and spent much time with him. This memoir, published in 1932, was the first biography to be written about him and as it is based on her own first-hand knowledge, experience and insight, has a remarkable immediacy and authenticity to it that makes it a fascinating read. Carswell moved in literary circles and knew many of the major figures of her time, and comments on them all. The memoir feels honest and balanced – even if her obvious affection and admiration for Lawrence is always in evidence – and I very much enjoyed reading such a contemporary account of Lawrence’s life and work.

[Sean de la Rosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outstanding little biography by one of Lawrence's closest and dearest friends. The last chapter entitled the Savage Pilgrimage is without match. In this chapter, Catherine shares some of her philosophical views on pain and suffering as Lawrence prepares for death.

PS: I did not know that Lawrence and Aldous Huxley had been friends.

[Zachary Ngow · Rating 4 out of 5]

An account of his life by his close friend. Like her Burns biography I read this over a long time, often in a tired state at night and because of that find a lot hard to remember. The best section though is the 'Last Supper'.

If you have read Frances Wilson's biography there is probably nothing new here however this book has a personal touch and knowledge of the other people in his life that makes it worth reading.