Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

Hi and welcome to our last quarter husky read for the year! We'll be reading The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists by Robert Tressell.

The novel tells the story of a group of working-class men who are joined by a journeyman with a vision of a just society. The man's spirited attack on the capitalist system rouses the workmen from political quietism. Witty and politically passionate, the novel is considered one of the most authentic novels written about the English working class. The novel was published posthumously. It was described by George Orwell as one "everyone should read".

Sources: Wikipedia, Goodreads

Robert Noonan (17 April 1870 - 3 February 1911) was born Robert Croker and is best known by the pen name Robert Tressell. He was an Irish writer and painter. His early adult working life was spent in South Africa where he was drawn into labour organizations and socialist politics. In Johannesburg, he was involved with some leading protagonists of Irish nationalism. His socialist political views influenced him to write The Ragged Trousered Philsnthropists which was written about "exploitative employment when the only safety nets are charity, workhouse, and grave".

Source: Wikipedia

I'm planning to read this one. Who is joining me? :)

I read this a couple of years ago. It's good!

I'll be reading this one.

Glad to know, Rosemarie. And John, welcome! :)

I read a chapter in a book called The Year of Reading Dangerously by Andy Miller. Here, Miller discusses his reflections on The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists which I found quite useful. If you don't mind a bit of spoiler, you could check it out. (I read an academic extract, so unfortunately, I don't know the chapter number).

No wonder Orwell admired him! Sadly, the Socialist dream that Tressell envisions remains an unrealisable ideal, an Utopia. There were moments in the book which brought sharply to mind two other novels: Knut Hamsen's 'Hunger' and George Orwell's 'Down and Out in London and Paris.' Neither of them are about political economy, but both give you a terrible idea of what it means to be actually destitute.

I felt the same way on reading it. The capitalist system is entrenched in that town and the exploited workers don't want any change.

Exactly, Rosemarie. The workers don't want change. That really struck me, although many times I've seen its truth.
And I agree with Mbuye. A true socialist state is unrealisable. It's only a beautiful dream.

I've read this book a number of times and I look forward to reading it again in a week or so. It was ground-breaking when Tressell wrote it and is totally relevant today - because it continues to describe the world as it actually is. True socialism remains a dream - as opposed to the ever-worsening nightmare of capitalism. And socialism may indeed be unrealisable before capitalism destroys the planet through climate change, or an imperialistic America, and a reactionary UK, help trigger a world war in an attempt to bolster their declining influence and importance.

Not particularly relevant.....but I also find it intensely sad that the author died so young, in a workhouse hospital and was buried in a pauper's grave.

John wrote: "Not particularly relevant.....but I also find it intensely sad that the author died so young, in a workhouse hospital and was buried in a pauper's grave."

Oh, that's heartbreaking, John. What a sad state!

Is anyone reading this? I have about 10 chapters to finish reading.

I read this a couple of years ago. It's a lovely and at times sad book.
I recommend it highly.

Piyangie wrote: "Is anyone reading this? I have about 10 chapters to finish reading."

I'm on Chapter 38. Tressel seems to me a witty and more constructive parallel to Chales Dickens. Odd that I had never before even heard of him!

I am enjoying this book immensely. There is so much economic, political, and philosophical content here. I can already see that I'm going to need to read it again.

Yes, Rosemarie. It's book both beautiful and sad.

I too found the writing witty, ForestGardenGal. I also found some humour in the way he writes the sad plight of the workers.

Wow. This was quite a book. Witty but sad is definitely an appropriate analysis, Piyangie. Now to figure out how to review it...

Glad to see you've enjoyed it very much, ForestGardenGirl. You have rated it with an impressive 5 stars which kind of put me to shame.

I'm yet to finish, but a bit struggling with the story. I do like the concept and what Tressell was driving at. The lives of the workers were hell, and still are, in many countries, especially in developing and third-world countries. I also enjoyed his writing, full of pathos. But as a whole, the book has failed to grab my full attention. I felt Tressell was saying the same in a thousand different ways; and although it was great at the beginning, after a time, it can be tiring.

Yes, he definitely used repetition to hammer his concepts home, Piyangie. My advice is let the characters in the story pull you through the sermonizing and repetitive portions. Don't you want to know their stories turn out? Will it help if I tease you with the idea of an unexpected twist at the end? Don't worry, no spoilers!

Just finished it. I enjoyed Tressell's views more than the story. I wish it was differently structured to give it more of a blend between the story and his socialist views. Because, this was a work of fiction after all, and the story should be given more prominence. However, I enjoyed it overall, liked the character, and heartily agree with Orwell that everyone should read it.

So do I!

I didn’t read this - but the discussion looks interesting. I definitely can’t read it before the end of the month tomorrow! I just downloaded a copy & aim to read it soon. Thanks for the recommendation.

You can still add comments in the new year, even if the book is in the archives.

Rosemarie wrote: "You can still add comments in the new year, even if the book is in the archives."

Thank you Rosemarie.