Alumni Authors

by Norman Davies (1948-1957)

Published by Allen Lane ISBN 978 0 141-972842-0

A useful series of notes incorporated into the second chapter introduces the common reader to European conflict at the end of the 17th century and to the ‘incessant war’ which followed. In England, suffering its own political and religious conflicts, the Act of Settlement led to the nomination of Sophia, Electress of Hanover, as successor to the throne. When she died the succession passed to her son and eventually to her grandson, George II of Great Britain and Elector of Hanover. Succeeding to the throne George was already familiar, through residence in London, with English affairs and customs. He had known the Stuart invasion of 1715, survived an assassination attempt, witnessed the South Sea Bubble and seen a ship named after him. During this early period he formed a constructive relationship with Robert Walpole, ‘a worthy teacher of the political arts’. Princess Caroline, the future Queen, cultivated Walpole and presided at her own salon, whose guests included Newton, Pope, Montesquieu and Handel.

These references illustrate the range of this short book which meets the conventional criticism that George was limited in understanding and preoccupied largely with German affairs. He knew a variety of religious traditions and, though Defender of the Faith, did not impede the progress of nonconformist sects. He tolerated two antagonistic political groupings, the monarchical and the patriot, which created difficult problems for Walpole. This was a period of important industrial and financial developments and a period when the arts flourished. Famously standing for the Hallelujah Chorus he had a high regard for Handel who represented a ‘fusion of German and British elements’.

The section on Law is fascinating. English became the obligatory language of the courts and Montesquieu, French politician, philosopher and lawyer, was ‘duly impressed by the extent of free speech in England’. Trained as a soldier, George was actively interested in British and European military campaigns. After the prolonged struggle of the Seven Years War both his kingdoms were secure. The range of his interests and experiences is colourfully illustrated in the pictorial section of this book, which does much to secure a better reputation for a generally vilified and pilloried king. Charles Winder (Boys’ Division Staff, 1964-1999)

This is the most unusual novel I have ever read. I found it interesting, amusing, informative and beautifully written. The novel is set in Armenia a few years after the disintegration of the Soviet bloc. The picture of a country plunged into chaos is most convincing. The main protagonist is an English university don on a cultural visit to the university in Yerevan, the capital, where he is to assist in the making of a video. We soon find that he cannot understand any of the language and is himself misunderstood at times even by the few people who can act as his interpreter. We learn along with him as he tries to cope with linguistic and social mismatches and with the art of living in a country where water and electricity supplies are very unreliable. The writing is so convincing that I soon found myself puzzling as to how to deal with the problems and who, if anybody, could be trusted. This must appear very bleak, but it is lightened by author’s wonderful turn of phrase and his ability to use his dry humour to make observations that could apply equally to our own ordered state. In the introduction he tells us that the book is based upon notes he wrote of his experiences on a working visit to Yerevan some 25 years ago and it is clear that in his treatment of the chaos he is by no means belittling the local people. We share the tribulations of the visiting academic from whose point of view everything is written and we are skilfully led to empathise with his doubts and concerns so that we do not know who cannot be trusted at all or who can be fully trusted. We are taken at times on visits to surrounding areas and a picture is built of a country with a significant past and areas of undoubted beauty. At times I had to supplement my own ignorance by consulting Google Maps to see exactly where Yerevan, and indeed Armenia, is and to understand just how near it is to Mount Ararat and Baku both of which are featured. At least I found my view of its connection with Turkey to be correct. The action, as I have stated, is based on the Englishman’s perception of it, but there are also interludes where the Soviet state’s view of, and power over, the country is highlighted. We are made aware of how the country had been made so dependent on the Russians that suddenly having to cope for themselves had been a major problem. These observations are accompanied from time to time, without comment, by short quotes from Intourist Armenia and various Soviet politicians. An air of intrigue puzzles the Englishman throughout, sometimes in suspicions that could just be his paranoia, but at other times totally obvious but equally puzzling and ill-deserved threats. So, to sum up, this was a novel that challenged me by its levels of mutual misunderstanding between the Englishman and the locals, but which kept me interested and entertained throughout and led to an unexpected denouement. I can thoroughly recommend it. David Shaw (Boys’ Division Staff, 1964-2002)