At large

by A.C. Benson

Arthur Christopher Benson (1862 -1925) was a British essayist, poet, author, and the 28th Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge. Benson was raised in a literary family. It is possible that Benson suffered from manic-depressive psychosis, which he had inherited from his father. He was a teacher and writer. His poems and volumes of essays were famous in his day, and he left one of the longest diaries ever written, some four million words. He is also known as the writer of patriotic songs for Britain. At large is a series of connected sketches, which are beautifully written. The contents includes The scene, Contentment, Friendship, Humor, Travel, Specialism, Our lack of great men, Shyness, Equality, The dramatic sense, Kelmscott and William Morris, A speech day, Literary finish, A midsummer day's dream, Symbols, Optimism, Joy, The love of god, and Epilogue.

425 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1902

About the author

Arthur Christopher Benson was an English essayist, poet, author and academic and the 28th Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge.

Benson was born on 24 April 1862 at Wellington College, Berkshire. He was one of six children of Edward White Benson (1829-1896; Archbishop of Canterbury 1882–96; the first headmaster of the college) and his wife Mary Sidgwick Benson, sister of the philosopher Henry Sidgwick.

Benson was born into a literary family; his brothers included E.F. Benson, best remembered for his Mapp and Lucia novels, and Robert Hugh Benson, a priest of the Church of England before converting to Roman Catholicism, who wrote many popular novels. Their sister, Margaret Benson, was an artist, author, and amateur Egyptologist.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started off good, but after the half-way mark I started skimming it. Then I abandoned it. It just went on way too long for being a romance story with a little bit of suspense thrown in. Too bad - it could've been so much better.

[Carl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tailed off about 3/4ths of the way. Got sentimental, lost its edge. Still, masterfully plotted.