Selected Writings

by Charles Lamb

Charles Lamb (1775-1834), essayist, poet, humorist, critic and letter-writer, has an enduring reputation for his early Tales from Shakespeare (1807), written in collaboration with his sister Mary, and his Essays ofElia, first published in the London Magazine. This thematic selection of Lamb's writings - essays, dramatic criticism, verse and letters - not only demonstrates his literary achievements; it forms a self-portrait of the writer: generous, amused, and gregarious, finding imaginative escape from grim circumstances in the teeming life of London and the theatre. The reader is drawn into the circle of Lamb's friends, enjoying the company of the most personal of English essayists. J.E. Morpurgo's introduction and notes set Lamb's writings in their contemporary context.

Genres: Classics, Essays

96 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 20, 2003

About the author

Charles Lamb was an English essayist with Welsh heritage, best known for his "Essays of Elia" and for the children's book "Tales from Shakespeare", which he produced along with his sister, Mary Lamb (1764–1847).

Reviews

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 I decided to pick up a collection of Lamb's essays and letters because he's a writing idol for Anne Fadiman, who I love, but I don't think I'll be as quick as she to venerate him. This collection was definitely boring at times, especially when referencing people, places, etc. that I've never heard of. But there are also definitely some gems, like his quirky essay on his love for roast pig. Plus the writing overall is obviously great quality.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wordy, but lots of gems. Worth revisiting.

notes/excerpts:
intro xvii..he was never free of the horrifying thought that if he had another nervous breakdown, Mary would be left without provider and cherisher.
sadness, even gloom, were never far away
xviii..his enthusiasm for all good things...books, pictures, food, drink, friendship...is symptomatic of his quest for momentary liberation from the shackles of misfortune
xix..he liked women, and vice versa, but closeness to any one woman threatened a breach of the discipline he had designed for himself..
Bitterness, anger, hate, resentment: all self-destructive passions were foreign to Lamb's character.
xx..the one unpardonable offence was a breach of loyalty
Coleridge..50 years without a dissension
1796..sister Mary killed their mother
xxii..had not yet discovered the merit of imagination as a BARRICADE against despair.
xxvi..of his poems, only Hester and The Old familiar Faces were anthologized
xxviii...A Dissertation upon Roast Pig ****
..writhe with indignation
48..Mary's work as a NEEDLE WOMAN
64-67..retirement from his clerical job...

From a poor man, poor in TIME, I was suddenly lifted up into a vast
revenue; I could see no end of my possessions.
..I have a quiet home-feeling of the blessedness of my condition.
71..Popular Fallacies...that we should rise with the lark
that we should lie down with the lamb
74..there is absolutely no such thing as reading, but by candlelight
89..obit...self
93.. the old familiar faces
121..hester...loved, but never spoke to
123..unsuccessful proposal to actress..(xix..what a lass to go a-gypsying through the world with)
135..irate st charles
136..abuse of the regent
137..Quarterly's POLITICAL BIAS SOURED ALL ITS LITERARY JUDGEMENTS
187..juices of meats, innocent vanities and jests
197..Dissertation upon Roast Pig
217..critical and anti-critical
L's spirit is "anti-critical" (accentuate the positive)
219..godfather had pretensions above his rank
220..theater..the honour of Sheridan's familiarity...or supposed familiarity..was better to my godfather than money
229..Hissing plays..authors should be the masters & preceptors of the public, and not vice versa