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Handley Cross: or, Mr.Jorrocks's Hunt
Handley or, Mr.Jorrocks's Hunt
1 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1903
2 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
About the author
Robert Smith Surtees
138 books8 followersRobert Smith Surtees (1805–1864) was an English editor, novelist and sporting writer, widely known as R.S. Surtees.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 28, 2019
There are many hunting scenes described with Surtees's usual dash and authenticity, coupled with the various ridiculous adventurous; towards the end of the novel, Jorrocks is certified insane but return triumphed to the discomfiture of his wife and Doleful.
June 14, 2011
I was a little disappointed with this - I'd enjoyed 'Jorrocks Jaunts and Jollities' and hoped that this as a novel rather than a series of episodes would be even better - but it's not a well-constructed work, there are too many set pieces and sub-plots that aren't woven in, and the ending is abrupt. That said, the book comes to life when Jorrocks appears, his Geordie huntsman is a joy, and the sense of place and evocations of weather are outstanding. You might want to skim some of the hunting detail though - it's hard to take for modern sensibilities. Do read if you are interested in what the Victorians enjoyed.
February 4, 2021
Handley Cross is probably the most famous of Robert Smith Surtees works and is a masterclass in social commentary on the early Victorian period. It contains spectacularly vivid descriptions, well written characters and rollickingly good prose. This book is so very 'of it's time' that the dictionary definition ought to say 'see Handley Cross' underneath it. Despite this, the book is oddly charming as well as having none of the sentimentality of most Victorian novels.
Positives
Even the greatest Victorian novelists, like Dickens and Thackeray, had a tendency to indulge in vast pools of sentimentalism when constructing their characters. This was expected by their contemporary readership but anyone who has had to sit through 'little Nell' in The Old Curiosity Shop will probably have wished they hadn't. Such readers (like myself) will be relieved to hear that Surtees hated sentimentalism and rigorously avoided it. His characters are well drawn (many of them based on real life people) and are fantastically funny. The main character, self made merchant John Jorrocks, typifies this. While he and his social climbing wife are rather comedic figures, they are also exceedingly sympathetic. Brought up in a much tougher society, Jorrocks is almost as out of depth as a modern reader which makes him an excellent surrogate figure. Besides this, he has a great commodity in one liners. 'Old 'ard you old 'airdresser' (directed at a well dressed military officer), 'no man is fit to be called a sportsman wot doesn't kick his wife out of bed on a haverage once in three weeks!' (on dreaming that one is out hunting) and 'I am a sportsman all over, and to the back-bone'. That, given with the fact that despite all his enthusiasm, he is a decidedly average fox hunter, cannot help but make him endearing to the reader. Then there's his huntsman; one James Pigg, who is possibly the most famous Geordie in classical literature. Blunt and untidy, Pigg is frequently at odds with his master and their interactions are probably the best parts of the book. Pigg is probably most famous however for his assessment of the weather as 'hellish dark and smells of cheese' after drinking a mite too much and opening the pantry instead of the front door! The other thing to note is the original illustrations. Created by John Leech, these fantastic works of art are both life-like and exceedingly funny. Whether it's depicting Pigg landing in a cucumber frame or Jorrocks fleeing from an angry bull, they are perhaps the best illustration to grace any book. They certainly suit the Surtees unique blend of realism and humour.
Negatives
You don't have to like fox hunting to enjoy this book (fans of Surtees work included Virginia Woolf, not noted for her love of fieldsports) but it certainly helps! Surtees was, unsurprisingly, an extremely keen fox hunter and his descriptions don't shy away from the grizzlier aspects of the sport. It is safe to say that concern for animals is not high on the list of many of the characters involved! The other problem first time readers might encounter is the structure of the novel. Originally printed in serialised form, Surtees himself said that the book was more a tale than a novel. Certainly its plot winds this way and that with little overall message although this criticism could just as easily be levelled at some of Charles Dickens early work. On the other hand, this does make the story extremely dippable, with the reader able to pick and choose where they read with little fear that they're not going to understand what's going on.
Conclusions
While not the best novel he produced, Jorrocks is easily the most lovable of Surtees characters and is probably the best place to start when reading Surtees works. While decidedly politically incorrect nowadays, there is a kind of charm about the book which makes it very readable. It is also a refreshing change from other, better known nineteenth century authors.
Positives
Even the greatest Victorian novelists, like Dickens and Thackeray, had a tendency to indulge in vast pools of sentimentalism when constructing their characters. This was expected by their contemporary readership but anyone who has had to sit through 'little Nell' in The Old Curiosity Shop will probably have wished they hadn't. Such readers (like myself) will be relieved to hear that Surtees hated sentimentalism and rigorously avoided it. His characters are well drawn (many of them based on real life people) and are fantastically funny. The main character, self made merchant John Jorrocks, typifies this. While he and his social climbing wife are rather comedic figures, they are also exceedingly sympathetic. Brought up in a much tougher society, Jorrocks is almost as out of depth as a modern reader which makes him an excellent surrogate figure. Besides this, he has a great commodity in one liners. 'Old 'ard you old 'airdresser' (directed at a well dressed military officer), 'no man is fit to be called a sportsman wot doesn't kick his wife out of bed on a haverage once in three weeks!' (on dreaming that one is out hunting) and 'I am a sportsman all over, and to the back-bone'. That, given with the fact that despite all his enthusiasm, he is a decidedly average fox hunter, cannot help but make him endearing to the reader. Then there's his huntsman; one James Pigg, who is possibly the most famous Geordie in classical literature. Blunt and untidy, Pigg is frequently at odds with his master and their interactions are probably the best parts of the book. Pigg is probably most famous however for his assessment of the weather as 'hellish dark and smells of cheese' after drinking a mite too much and opening the pantry instead of the front door! The other thing to note is the original illustrations. Created by John Leech, these fantastic works of art are both life-like and exceedingly funny. Whether it's depicting Pigg landing in a cucumber frame or Jorrocks fleeing from an angry bull, they are perhaps the best illustration to grace any book. They certainly suit the Surtees unique blend of realism and humour.
Negatives
You don't have to like fox hunting to enjoy this book (fans of Surtees work included Virginia Woolf, not noted for her love of fieldsports) but it certainly helps! Surtees was, unsurprisingly, an extremely keen fox hunter and his descriptions don't shy away from the grizzlier aspects of the sport. It is safe to say that concern for animals is not high on the list of many of the characters involved! The other problem first time readers might encounter is the structure of the novel. Originally printed in serialised form, Surtees himself said that the book was more a tale than a novel. Certainly its plot winds this way and that with little overall message although this criticism could just as easily be levelled at some of Charles Dickens early work. On the other hand, this does make the story extremely dippable, with the reader able to pick and choose where they read with little fear that they're not going to understand what's going on.
Conclusions
While not the best novel he produced, Jorrocks is easily the most lovable of Surtees characters and is probably the best place to start when reading Surtees works. While decidedly politically incorrect nowadays, there is a kind of charm about the book which makes it very readable. It is also a refreshing change from other, better known nineteenth century authors.
Currently reading
October 25, 2022An interesting anachronism here (page 205, Kindle version) where the character Benjamin says "Vy you’ll be vot they call a man of “all vork,” a wite nigger — a wite Uncle Tom in fact! dear me,” added he."
This occurrence of Uncle Tom, published in 1843, predating Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin 1851/2 by several years, indicates a traditional usage of the term.
This occurrence of Uncle Tom, published in 1843, predating Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin 1851/2 by several years, indicates a traditional usage of the term.
June 25, 2022
As a novelist, Surtees is a sketch-writer; he lacks focus / plotting skill, but makes up for it by humor. And this book gives us more of the unforgettable Jorrocks (from his most famous book / the best to start with, Jorrocks’ Jaunts and Jollities). The critic Edward Wagenknecht was quite correct that it is possible to thoroughly enjoy Surtees even if you despise hunting; his attitude towards everything is satirical.
Want to read
July 13, 2016* 1000 novels everyone must read: the definitive list: Comedy
Selected by the Guardian's Review team and a panel of expert judges, this list includes only novels – no memoirs, no short stories, no long poems – from any decade and in any language. Originally published in thematic supplements – love, crime, comedy, family and self, state of the nation, science fiction and fantasy, war and travel – they appear here for the first time.
Selected by the Guardian's Review team and a panel of expert judges, this list includes only novels – no memoirs, no short stories, no long poems – from any decade and in any language. Originally published in thematic supplements – love, crime, comedy, family and self, state of the nation, science fiction and fantasy, war and travel – they appear here for the first time.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews