Review of The Farthing Poet: A Biography of Richard Hengist Home 1802-84, by Ann Blainey

Abstract

If ever there was a hard nut for a biographer to crack, it is Richard Henry (or should it be Hengist?) Home. There must have been many moments during Mrs Blainey's writing when, after becoming thoroughly launched upon her subject, she was tempted to reflect with Koko how she had taken under her wing, tra la la. a most unattractive old thing, tra la la. For of the flowers that bloom in the bio graphical spring, this egregious old man affords her but few for a pretty nosegay. And yet those she finds do make a kind of savoury pot pourri. The portrait of Home that emerges carries an ineffably sad impression.

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Published 1 May 1969 in Volume 4 No. 1. Subjects: Biographical writing.

Cite as: Elliott, Brian. ‘Review of The Farthing Poet: A Biography of Richard Hengist Home 1802-84, by Ann Blainey.’ Australian Literary Studies, vol. 4, no. 1, 1969, doi: 10.20314/als.7912e12753.