Silvester Gordon Boswell
Last night I finished rereading “The Book of Boswell: Autobiography of a Gypsy” by Silvester Gordon Boswell (published 1970). This is the first book I have completely reread, and the reason was primarily for character and voice. I’m using the word ‘voice’ even though Gordon Boswell, who was not an educated man, dictated most of the book. He wrote only the prologue and part of chapter one.
Of the many wonderful things, what struck me most, the real beauty of this book, is Gordon Boswell’s recollection of childhood, when he and his family travelled the “lovely lanes” of England before the First World War. (After which, he says, everything changed.) They lived so close to nature. They enjoyed such happiness, and a level of freedom in complete contrast to the experience of 21st century children — Gypsy or not.
