Prester John

[ForKnowledge]

Has anyone read Prester John by John Buchan. If so what did you think of it?

[Whifflingpin]

I've read it.

It's a rollicking good yarn for boys.

Obviously, like most of Buchan, it is not remotely politically correct, so you'd probably not be allowed to teach it in school (the villain of the piece is a Portuguese with a dash of the tar-brush, and clearly outside the bounds of civilized society because he wears yellow tanned shoes.)

But it's a fine adventurous tale, set in a fictionalized southern Africa around 1900.

[ForKnowledge]

I've read it.

It's a rollicking good yarn for boys.

Obviously, like most of Buchan, it is not remotely politically correct, so you'd probably not be allowed to teach it in school (the villain of the piece is a Portooguese Jew with a dash of the tar-brush, and clearly outside the bounds of civilized society because he wears yellow tanned shoes.)

But it's a fine adventurous tale, set in a fictionalized southern Africa around 1900.

Its funny you said that, I actually came across it in my fathers old bookshelf hmy uncle read it in school quite some time ago. Hard to believe isn't it

[Whifflingpin]

Whiff: "Obviously, like most of Buchan, it is not remotely politically correct, so you'd probably not be allowed to teach it in school (the villain of the piece is a Portuguese with a dash of the tar-brush, and clearly outside the bounds of civilized society because he wears yellow tanned shoes.)"

ForKnowledge: "Its funny you said that, I actually came across it in my fathers old bookshelf hmy uncle read it in school quite some time ago. Hard to believe isn't it"

"Prester John" is a book grounded in the realities of its time - its non-fiction counterpart might be found in the accounts of the Matabele wars in "Scouting on Two Continents" by Major Frederick Russell Burnham. Buchan adds his recurring theme of the fragility of civilisation.

What is hard to believe is the complete moral collapse of a nation in two generations. Allowing for the prejudices of his time (I mean of course Buchan's obvious contempt for anyone who wears yellow shoes) "Prester John" is a fine book to be read by lads being brought up to face the world with resourcefulness and courage. It is a book to keep out of the hands of a populace whom you wish to debilitate with fear of a few Afghans.