Rudyard Kipling, Kim

Douglas Kerr (University of Hong Kong)

Ed. by John Thieme, University of East Anglia
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.08: English Writing and Culture of the early Twentieth Century , 1900-1945.
Vol. editors: Chris Baldick (Goldsmiths College, University of London), Peter Childs (Newman University), Louise McDonald (Newman University)

Dates

First circulation or publication 1901

Places

India (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

Novel

Resources

Since Kim is all about equilibrium, it is oddly appropriate that it was written in the pivotal year between two centuries, and exactly half-way through Kipling's life (1865-1936). Its success with generations of readers, and the peculiarly personal affection it has often inspired, speak to its triumphs of balance, as it seems to offer the best of both or many worlds – Indian and British, the satisfactions of the spirit and the pleasures of adventure, the lives of contemplation and of action, the freedom of the resourceful orphan and the security of a boy loved and protected by a whole series of father-figures. Above all it brilliantly persuades us that it is possible to live fully in the adult world and remain a child.

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1274 words

Citation: Kerr, Douglas. "Kim". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 21 March 2002 [https://staging.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=4239, accessed 23 April 2024.]

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