Kilvert's Diary: 1870-1879

Rating:
Summary: A classic diary in a beautiful edition
Review: That Kilvert's Diary: 1870-1879 has gone through several different editions since its first appearance in three volumes in 1938-1940 is testimony to the classical quality of the diary. I think that perhaps someday I should like to obtain and read the entire three volume edition. This edition by William Plomer and published by David R. Godine of Boston is an especially beautiful edition, with illustrations and reproduced pictures of various buildings, settings and plant life of the border country of Wales and Wiltshire in England where the quiet, rustic action takes place. Kilvert was a thirty year old bachelor Anglican country clergyman when he began his diary and only thirty nine when death ended it. There is a charming innocence, purity, simplicty and yet depth in the diary entries. A poetic gift underlies and permeates the clear English prose of the writer. Francis Kilvert made his kindly, observant ways among all classes of his parishes, being particularly susceptible to feminine beauty. He died suddenly five weeks after finally marrying.