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The Brushwood Boy
with illustrations by F. H. Townsend
92 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1907
6 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Rudyard Kipling
5,835 books3,709 followersJoseph Rudyard Kipling was a journalist, short-story writer, poet, and novelist.
Kipling's works of fiction include The Jungle Book (1894), Kim (1901), and many short stories, including The Man Who Would Be King (1888). His poems include Mandalay (1890), Gunga Din (1890), The Gods of the Copybook Headings (1919), The White Man's Burden (1899), and If— (1910). He is regarded as a major innovator in the art of the short story; his children's books are classics of children's literature; and one critic described his work as exhibiting "a versatile and luminous narrative gift".
Kipling was one of the most popular writers in the United Kingdom, in both prose and verse, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Henry James said: "Kipling strikes me personally as the most complete man of genius (as distinct from fine intelligence) that I have ever known." In 1907, at the age of 41, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, making him the first English-language writer to receive the prize, and its youngest recipient to date. He was also sounded out for the British Poet Laureateship and on several occasions for a knighthood, both of which he declined.
Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907 "in consideration of the power of observation, originality of imagination, virility of ideas and remarkable talent for narration which characterize the creations of this world-famous author."
Kipling kept writing until the early 1930s, but at a slower pace and with much less success than before. On the night of 12 January 1936, Kipling suffered a haemorrhage in his small intestine. He underwent surgery, but died less than a week later on 18 January 1936 at the age of 70 of a perforated duodenal ulcer. Kipling's death had in fact previously been incorrectly announced in a magazine, to which he wrote, "I've just read that I am dead. Don't forget to delete me from your list of subscribers."
Kipling's works of fiction include The Jungle Book (1894), Kim (1901), and many short stories, including The Man Who Would Be King (1888). His poems include Mandalay (1890), Gunga Din (1890), The Gods of the Copybook Headings (1919), The White Man's Burden (1899), and If— (1910). He is regarded as a major innovator in the art of the short story; his children's books are classics of children's literature; and one critic described his work as exhibiting "a versatile and luminous narrative gift".
Kipling was one of the most popular writers in the United Kingdom, in both prose and verse, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Henry James said: "Kipling strikes me personally as the most complete man of genius (as distinct from fine intelligence) that I have ever known." In 1907, at the age of 41, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, making him the first English-language writer to receive the prize, and its youngest recipient to date. He was also sounded out for the British Poet Laureateship and on several occasions for a knighthood, both of which he declined.
Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907 "in consideration of the power of observation, originality of imagination, virility of ideas and remarkable talent for narration which characterize the creations of this world-famous author."
Kipling kept writing until the early 1930s, but at a slower pace and with much less success than before. On the night of 12 January 1936, Kipling suffered a haemorrhage in his small intestine. He underwent surgery, but died less than a week later on 18 January 1936 at the age of 70 of a perforated duodenal ulcer. Kipling's death had in fact previously been incorrectly announced in a magazine, to which he wrote, "I've just read that I am dead. Don't forget to delete me from your list of subscribers."
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 3, 2011
A curious tale of a boy's adventures mixed with his dream life, Kipling's prose will keep your interest throughout this short story.
I listened to this book because I was the "Dedicated Proof Listener" for the LibriVox project that was recently cataloged here: http://librivox.org/the-brushwood-boy... Read by Liam Neely.
I listened to this book because I was the "Dedicated Proof Listener" for the LibriVox project that was recently cataloged here: http://librivox.org/the-brushwood-boy... Read by Liam Neely.
June 12, 2025
When I was a youngster, I remember hearing a radio drama based on this story, and I fell in love with the storyline and characters. I determined then that one day, I’d find myself a copy of this book and read it, but never realized that it’s just a short story! When I finally realized that a while ago, I looked it up on Project Gutenberg and had a lot of fun reading through it over the next couple of days.
Very reminiscent of Just So Stories, this is a fanciful, lighthearted romance with a delightful twist. In essence, this is a silly, fluffy story, but I found it endearing, heartwarming, and simply a lot of fun. If you enjoy fantastical, impossible stories, and/or love sweet romance, you’d likely love it.
Very reminiscent of Just So Stories, this is a fanciful, lighthearted romance with a delightful twist. In essence, this is a silly, fluffy story, but I found it endearing, heartwarming, and simply a lot of fun. If you enjoy fantastical, impossible stories, and/or love sweet romance, you’d likely love it.
August 22, 2018
An exceptionally enjoyable book of a story of a child growing to manhood, part dream and part reality. Very boyesque with chivalry, action, romance. A perfect combo of it all. For me this is a near perfect story by Kipling.
October 27, 2024
Great book, I listened to the audiobook version on YouTube. I will leave the link below so that everyone can enjoy it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6xRY...
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews