Young Lives
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Summary
Richard Thomas Le Gallienne (1866-1947) was an English man of letters, very much associated with the literary world of London in the 1890s. He was born in Liverpool. He started work in an accountant's office, but abandoned this to write. My Ladies' Sonnets appeared in 1887, and in 1889 he became for a short time literary secretary to Wilson Barrett. He joined the staff of The Star in 1891, and wrote for various papers using the signature of Logroller. He contributed to The Yellow Book, and associated with the Rhymer's Club. In 1906 he translated, from the Danish, Peter Nansen's Loves Trilogy. Among his famous works are: English Poems (1892), The Quest of the Golden Girl (1896), Prose Fancies (1896), Young Lives (1899), The Worshipper of the Image (1900), October Vagabonds (1910), The Lonely Dancer, and Other Poems (1913), and A Jongleur Strayed (1922).
Editor's review
Young Lives comes from Richard Le Gallienne, an author closely connected with London's literary circles in the 1890s, who wrote poetry, worked as a literary secretary, and contributed to publications such as The Yellow Book. The book's interest therefore lies not only in the stories themselves but in the linguistic sensibility and sentimental temperament of the writers of that era. The title points to youth and growth, and the narrative mostly carries the fineness and melancholy characteristic of fin-de-siècle literature, suited to slow reading and repeated savoring of sentences. It is not plot-driven; if you are used to strong conflict and fast pacing, you may find it slow, but if you are willing to focus on atmosphere, characters' states of mind, and style, you will find many thought-provoking passages. For readers wanting to understand the English literary landscape from the late Victorian period to the fin de siècle, this is a valuable supplementary read.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Readers who enjoy late nineteenth-century English literature and stylistic sensibility
- Literature lovers interested in the literary circles of the Yellow Book era
- Readers willing to read slowly and savor atmosphere and psychological description
- Students studying how the theme of growth appears in fin-de-siècle literature
Not a good fit for
- Readers seeking strong plot, fast pacing, and clear endings
- Readers impatient with sentimental, finely wrought prose
- Young readers needing the immersive feel of contemporary coming-of-age novels
Reading tips
- Learn about the author and the 1890s London literary scene first, then read the text; it is easier to enter the context.
- Don't aim to finish in one sitting; read slowly by chapter and note how landscape description corresponds to characters' states of mind.
- Keep a pen to mark sentences you find poetic, and revisit these passages after finishing.
- If the pace feels slow, read one chapter first to judge whether the style suits your taste before deciding to read it all.
Contents
- Copyright information
- CHAPTER I
- CHAPTER II
- CHAPTER III
- CHAPTER IV
- CHAPTER V
- CHAPTER VI
- CHAPTER VII
- CHAPTER VIII
- CHAPTER IX
- CHAPTER X
- CHAPTER XI
- CHAPTER XII
- CHAPTER XIII
- CHAPTER XIV
- CHAPTER XV
- CHAPTER XVI
- CHAPTER XVII
- CHAPTER XVIII
- CHAPTER XIX
- CHAPTER XX
- CHAPTER XXI
- CHAPTER XXII
- CHAPTER XXIII
- CHAPTER XXIV
- CHAPTER XXV
- CHAPTER XXVI
- CHAPTER XXVII
- CHAPTER XXVIII
- CHAPTER XXIX
- CHAPTER XXX
- CHAPTER XXXI
- CHAPTER XXXII
- CHAPTER XXXIII
- CHAPTER XXXIV
- CHAPTER XXXV
- CHAPTER XXXVI
- CHAPTER XXXVII
- CHAPTER XXXVIII
- CHAPTER XXXIX
- CHAPTER XL
- CHAPTER XLI
- CHAPTER XLII
- CHAPTER XLIII
- CHAPTER XLIV
FAQ
Is this a typical coming-of-age novel?
It revolves around youth and growth, but is closer to the atmospheric writing of fin-de-siècle literature; plot progression is not the focus. Readers expecting a clear growth arc and dramatic conflict may be disappointed; those willing to savor atmosphere and states of mind will gain more.
Can I understand it without knowing the author?
Yes, but knowing the author's connection to 1890s London literary circles will help you understand the sentimental tone and literary sensibility. Spend a few minutes on a short author biography before reading for a smoother experience.
Why is it said to suit slow reading?
Because the book's appeal lies mostly in language, atmosphere, and the laying out of characters' subtle states of mind rather than in event-driven plot. Skimming easily misses these layers; slowing down and reading chapter by chapter lets you appreciate the flavor of the style.
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About the author
Richard Le Gallienne
Author · British · 1866–1947
Richard Le Gallienne (1866–1947) was an English poet and critic, and one of the representative figures of Aestheticism in literature. His creative and critical work carried forward the late nineteenth-century Aestheticist emphasis on beauty, form and sensibility, while his poetry and essays kept a sensitive eye on the details of everyday life. His representative work Young Lives takes growth as its theme, with a gentle and delicate touch, focusing on the ideals, perplexities and self-formation of young people as they enter society; it is therefore often grouped with inspirational coming-of-age reading. Chinese-language public information about his life and the full range of his work is currently limited, and Chinese readers generally know him through this work and its Aestheticist background. Readers may note how he blends poetic language into narrative and writes about growing up in a lyrical manner.
