Bollond

by E.H.W. Meyerstein

Bollond is a book which could have been written by no one else but the obscure and strangely-obsessed E. H. W. Meyerstein (1889 -1952). The novel, put to paper in 1920, but, due to its content, never published during the author’s lifetime, tells of the adventures of Reginald Bolland who, after being expelled from both school and home, sets out for the West End of London, where he is torn between becoming a rent boy, a toy boy, a poet, or an actor. Existing in a world of homosexuals, street-cads, prostitutes, and drug-takers, this highly stimulating story is an anti-classic of a very high order.

178 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1958

About the author

Edward Harry William Meyerstein (August 11, 1889 – September 12, 1952) was an English writer and scholar. He wrote poetry and short stories, and a Life Of Thomas Chatterton.

Meyerstein was born in Hampstead (then still in Middlesex). His father was a merchant and stockbroker who was generous benefactor to the Royal Free Hospital and who became High Sheriff of Kent, being knighted in 1938.
Meyerstein was educated at Holly Hill Hampstead, and then went to board at St Cyprian's School, Eastbourne. At St Cyprian's, he met the future painter Cedric Morris, started collecting manuscripts from local bookshops and won the Harrow History Prize. With this under his belt, his mother then sent him to Harrow. Brought up as a Protestant, he was baptised before going to Harrow, with George Adolphus Storey the painter as his godfather. After Harrow, he went to Magdalen College, Oxford, where he had many friends including Wilfred Rowland Childe and John Wain. His verse was published in Oxford Poetry 1910-13 and later volumes.

Reviews

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are these great little books being republished like this one, Love, Leda; the Leather Boys. I liked the narrator’s voice and the way his perspective (sometimes limited, sometimes appearing to be limited) was conveyed.