A season in Abyssinia;: An impersonation

by Paul Strathern

Marseilles, 1891: as Arthur Rimbaud lies dying in hospital, his mind wanders fitfully - taking him back to Commune-era Paris, and the scandalous life he led with Verlaine. But, above all, he is transported to Harar, Abyssinia, where he ventured in 1880 to seek his fortune, having chucking in the disreputable game of writing poetry...Paul Strathern's second novel, published in 1972, won a Somerset Maugham Award both for its superb evocation of the colour, squalor and hurlyburly of Harar and for its inspired 'impersonation' of Rimbaud - restless, ragged self-overcomer, would-be explorer-imperialist, and genius poet repulsed by his past literary life.

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Paul Strathern (born 1940) is a English writer and academic. He was born in London, and studied at Trinity College, Dublin, after which he served in the Merchant Navy over a period of two years. He then lived on a Greek island. In 1966 he travelled overland to India and the Himalayas. His novel A Season in Abyssinia won a Somerset Maugham Award in 1972.

Besides five novels, he has also written numerous books on science, philosophy, history, literature, medicine and economics.

Reviews

[Yousseif Abdellatif · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick take: A season in Abyssinia;: An impersonation is a page-turner with a messy landing. What worked: Paul Strathern drops you into the action fast and never wastes your time. What didn't: the last chapter wraps up like a bad sitcom finale. Recommend for airport reading, skip for book club debates.

[Yousseif Abdellatif · Rating 3 out of 5]

Look, A season in Abyssinia;: An impersonation is angry in a way I found refreshing. Paul Strathern doesn't wrap the rage in a pretty bow or apologize for it, no fluff, no hedging. It does get repetitive late in the game. Great for readers who like a book with teeth, skip if you want it gentle.