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The Autobiography of a Super-Tramp
by
W.H. Davies
In his note to the 1920 edition of
The Autobiography of a Super-Tramp
, W. H. Davies states that it was written 'on the advice of friends who claimed my life of adventure would have an interest for the public.' They were not wrong. Starting with his early life in Wales, Davies documents how he was always restless as a child, having minor brushes with the local constabulary
...more
Hardcover
Published
January 7th 2004
by North Books
(first published 1908)
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Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
652)
A book which I have read several times over the last 30 years - recommended by a much respected English teacher in my high school. Maybe one of the best 'road' stories, literally. In music we hear about some of this background in Woody Guthrie's songs, but this is raw and real. I'll put it back again on my 'to read' shelf. As I am Welsh, it really resonates.
As a son of Newport myself, I am somewhat partial to Davies, and I was entertained and informed about social conditions in late 19th century America by his firsthand account of tramping around the country. Nevertheless, Davies's Edwardian prose and occasional humor make his experiences seem easier and more carefree than they clearly were. Worse, the book is marred by moments of appalling racism which seem out of character with the gentle tone of the rest of the work. Davies was undoubtedly a man
...more
What it's about: The autobiography of poet W.H.Davies before he became famous. For much of the last years of the 19th Century he was a tramp, either by choice or latterly by circumstance. With a dispassionate voice given to seeing the good in almost everyone, he recounts ordinary and extraordinary events from this time.
I found this work notable for its calm voice, which never seemed to get excited by any event or person. It made me work harder as a reader to understand who he was as a person. I ...more
I found this work notable for its calm voice, which never seemed to get excited by any event or person. It made me work harder as a reader to understand who he was as a person. I ...more
The book is good if you want to learn about the life of a
"tramp" or "hobo" during the late 19th century in Britain and North America. The people in this book are the what most people picture when they hear "hobo." They were the people with little tied-up bundles who would jump on trains and ride the rails. The story of this guy's life is moderately interesting. It's not action-packed, but it probably won't put you to sleep either. For me, there is no great wisdom or really even life lessons to ...more
"tramp" or "hobo" during the late 19th century in Britain and North America. The people in this book are the what most people picture when they hear "hobo." They were the people with little tied-up bundles who would jump on trains and ride the rails. The story of this guy's life is moderately interesting. It's not action-packed, but it probably won't put you to sleep either. For me, there is no great wisdom or really even life lessons to ...more
My husband often mentioned how much he enjoyed reading this book when he was a kid. So when he bought an old copy (from the thirties, I think) I decided to read it too. I struggled a little with the first chapter, but after that found myself thoroughly engrossed, though I couldn't help being reminded of the movie Emperor of the North. I was also glad I didn't read the preface by George Bernard Shaw until after reading the book because it would have ruined one of the major scenes. (And now I need
...more
an interesting book of a flawed genius william davies born in newport wales and his tramping around the USA, canada and then his tragic accident which brings him back to England and trampling the highways of the counties with his wooden leg and his dream to have a book/poems published.. maybe classed as one of the first ever classic on the road books based around the author's travels late 19th-early 20th century and even the book gave its name to a famous music band as well Supertramp
Mar 29, 2008
James Lundy
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
armchair time travelers
This is a fantastic and rare read. How many tramps from the late 19th century / early 20th century wrote books to give you a vivid picture of what it was like to be a tramp then? Not an outsider romanticizing it or trying to make it sound pitiable. This is the only one I know of. I love credible glimpses of other worlds and other times.
Not my usual cup of tea, but nonetheless diverting. Comedic, sad, inspiring and yet awkward to read. Beautifully written in places, spasmodic and clumsy in others.
2.5 stars
The book is quite gentle in style and doesn't really dwell on the deprivations that people in Davies' position must have found themselves. It was an interesting read but I'm afraid I didn't find it a patch on Orwell's 'Down and and Out in Paris and London'. However what really left a nasty taste in the mouth was the racism encountered in the chapter 'A Lynching' Firstly the incident in itself was execrable, but Davies makes some sickening comments of his own. After this I just could not ...more
The book is quite gentle in style and doesn't really dwell on the deprivations that people in Davies' position must have found themselves. It was an interesting read but I'm afraid I didn't find it a patch on Orwell's 'Down and and Out in Paris and London'. However what really left a nasty taste in the mouth was the racism encountered in the chapter 'A Lynching' Firstly the incident in itself was execrable, but Davies makes some sickening comments of his own. After this I just could not ...more
What I most enjoyed about this autobiography was its measured style suggestive of a mind concerned to weigh up experience carefully and justly. Davies writes in his last two paragraphs: "Perhaps I am deceived as to the worth or worthlessness of certain people, but I have given my experience of them without exaggeration, describing as near as memory makes it possible, things exactly as they occurred. I have made no effort to conceal my gratitude for those who have befriended me, and I have made e
...more
I enjoyed the breezy read of this book and Davies' technique brought the protagonist and narrator to life. We learn about his early life and his aspirations of becoming a writer, all told with a tone of contentment.
We follow him as he chooses to depart his life in England for a nomadic existence trekking through North America. While the travels and character's musings on his life are amusing and pleasurable to read, there is nothing shocking or revolutionary in these writings. With the character ...more
We follow him as he chooses to depart his life in England for a nomadic existence trekking through North America. While the travels and character's musings on his life are amusing and pleasurable to read, there is nothing shocking or revolutionary in these writings. With the character ...more
Dec 29, 2010
Ian Russell
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-in-past
,
re-read
Probably one of my favourite books. I acquired it from school, along with two others, The Oxford Book of 20th Century Verse and John Wyndham's The Day of the Triffids - these weren't earned as any academic award, I left school finally by the side entrance and just neglected to give them back. I reckon the school owed me something and, hey, these books got me reading literature of my own volition.
As a youngster, I thought this was the best, real-life, ripping adventure story; one man, albeit a '' ...more
As a youngster, I thought this was the best, real-life, ripping adventure story; one man, albeit a '' ...more
An odd book in many ways. Davies narrates in a dispassionate way. You get a good sense of the larger than life characters he encounters, but I found myself constantly wondering about Davies himself - what sort of person was he? After all, he must have been a larger than life personality himself to meet these people and have these adventures.
This uncertainty about Davies is thrown into stark relief, when he narrates a lynching with a particularly racist bias. Now, it was a long time ago, there mi ...more
This uncertainty about Davies is thrown into stark relief, when he narrates a lynching with a particularly racist bias. Now, it was a long time ago, there mi ...more
An early entry in the line of ne'er-d'ye-well starving artist autobiographies that continues with books like
You Can't Win
(
Jack Black
) and
Junky
(
William S. Burroughs
).
This book is less interesting than those. It tells of an interesting life and interesting events and people, but not particularly evocatively. And it's salted with some wholly uninteresting anecdotes (like the landlord squabble he finishes the book with) and unintentional shaggy dog stories.
Not a complete waste of time, but nothi ...more
This book is less interesting than those. It tells of an interesting life and interesting events and people, but not particularly evocatively. And it's salted with some wholly uninteresting anecdotes (like the landlord squabble he finishes the book with) and unintentional shaggy dog stories.
Not a complete waste of time, but nothi ...more
Leisure by W H Davies had always held a hold on me since my childhood, so I had to read this book. It was delightful to read that the man had lived his life by the same principles that one would expect him to espouse, after reading "Leisure"
A wonderful book, to be taken with a pinch of salt. It describes a bygone era of America and Britain. It has a wonderful cast of characters and is humorous. Worth reading for the exploits a man who choses to be a tramp.
Incredible story of a educated talented young man who chose to live on the cusp of society. He gave up so much but gained so much more, inspirational autobiography.
Wonderful wonderful story ... Read it several times ... Always enjoyed the travel and the characters
I was at 3.5 stars, but the introduction (which I read last) put me over the top. The book is an interesting look at the US in the late 1800s through the eyes of one of the original beatniks. While Davies cleans up his wanderings compared to the sloshing style of Kerouac, you still get a sense of the freedom and spontaneity which links the two authors.
I like stories of simple, every-day life. Mr. Davies was a tramp, hobo, or bum in both the United States and Great Britain, and he tells about it in this book. Along the way he discovers that he has a knack for writing and puts out this book. He tells the story of the great difficulty he had in publishing it and getting it noticed. Great reading.
Didn't quite finish it. Somewhat enjoyable narrative of and by an early 20th century hobo who is happiest wandering country roads and reading books in front of fireplaces in libraries. Wanted to like it better as I have a lot in common with the author. None-the-less interesting for getting a first hand picture of what hobo life was like then.
It was alright, a bit slow though, and the turn of the century language was dry. However it is unique to see what the US was like in those times and how many other tramps were milling about day by day. Curious also to learn the different types of begging. I have no plans to ride the rails anytime soon.
Nov 15, 2011
Lindsay
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
z2011
,
autobiography
A fascinating book, looking at a lifestyle that is completely alien these days. It's hard to imagine people drifting around countries, assuming they will be able to rely on the charity of others.
I read this book as a thirteen year old(?) for English class (the often brutal Mr Brooks) and I will now seek it out again after reading Orwell's 'Down and Out in Paris and London'.
Fascinating story of a wanderer's adventures begging his way across the USA and living in English lodging houses.
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Davies is a racist son of a bitch! The chapter 'A Lynching' is some real kkk shit.
simple but absorbing story of the Hobo way of life.
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William Henry Davies was born in Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales. His father was, at the time a Publican. After an apprenticeship as a picture-frame maker and a series of labouring jobs, he travelled to America, first to New York and then to the Klondike.
He returned to England after an accident whilst jumping a train in Canada, he lost a foot. Upon his return to Britain he led a poor, hard life livi ...more
More about W.H. Davies...
He returned to England after an accident whilst jumping a train in Canada, he lost a foot. Upon his return to Britain he led a poor, hard life livi ...more
“Cats – by day the most docile of God’s creatures, every one of them in the night enlisting under the devil’s banner – took the place by storm after the human voice had ceased.”
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“After hearing an answer, I drew in the chloroform in long breaths, thinking to assist the doctors in their work. In spite of this, I have a faint recollection of struggling with all my might against its effects, previous to losing consciousness; but I was greatly surprised on being afterwards told that I had, when in that condition, used more foul language in ten minutes delirium than had probably been used in twenty four hours by the whole population of Canada.”
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