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"Just a few ideas that have ceased to be modern"
Black Mischief.
- Author: WAUGH, Evelyn
- Publication place: London,
- Publisher: Chapman & Hall,
- Publication date: 1932.
- Physical description: First edition, large paper issue. Number 32 of 250 special copies on laid paper signed by the author with additional illustrations by the author. Octavo (222 by 150mm), eight full page illustrations, none of which appear in the trade edition, plus one full page map, original violet buckram with gilt titles to the spine and vignette to the upper cover, spine very lightly faded, in printed brown, crisp dustwrapper, faint crease to the lower cover.
- Inventory reference: 22634
Notes
A tale of a mythical African island, Azania, that is both a "satire on European notions of 'progress' imitated by an imaginary African nation" (ODNB) and unquestionably and problematically racist.
The Book
'Black Mischief ' is the author's third novel, drawing on his experiences in Africa which, as he reported in his travel journal, 'Ninety Two Days', offered "experiences vivid enough to demand translation into literary form".
The books tells of the rise and fall of the newly installed Emperor, Seth, and his ne'er-do-well Oxford contemporary Basil Seal, and their attempts to bring civilization to Azania:
"You know," he added reflectively, "we've got a much easier job now than we should have had fifty years ago. If we'd had to modernise a country then it would have meant constitutional monarchy, bicameral legislature, proportional representation, women's suffrage, independent judicature, freedom of the press, referendums..."
"What is all that?" asked the Emperor.
"Just a few ideas that have ceased to be modern."
Given the instant success of Waugh's first two novels, the critical response was lukewarm, and the novel became better known for its attack on the Catholic journal, 'The Tablet', and the heated response from that organ's editor, Ernest Oldmeadow, who asserted that it was "a work both disgraceful and scandalous. It abounds in coarse and sometimes disgusting passages, and its climax is disgusting". Needless to say this did nothing to harm sales.
The Map
The action takes place on an island off the coast of Italian Somaliland in the early years of the twentieth century. The map shows an outline of the island which resembles Madagascar, but its exact dimensions aren't disclosed. The channel between the island and mainland Africa, and the mountains in the South of the island, are named after the native people, the Sakuyu, herdsmen described as being black, naked and cannibalistic.
In the north of the island is the "Wanda Jungle", home to farmers called the Wanda who came from the mainland in the distant past. Arab traders had settled along the coast nearest the mainland of Africa and concentrated in the only port, Matodi, which lies on the Equator in the Southwest of the island.
The Book
'Black Mischief ' is the author's third novel, drawing on his experiences in Africa which, as he reported in his travel journal, 'Ninety Two Days', offered "experiences vivid enough to demand translation into literary form".
The books tells of the rise and fall of the newly installed Emperor, Seth, and his ne'er-do-well Oxford contemporary Basil Seal, and their attempts to bring civilization to Azania:
"You know," he added reflectively, "we've got a much easier job now than we should have had fifty years ago. If we'd had to modernise a country then it would have meant constitutional monarchy, bicameral legislature, proportional representation, women's suffrage, independent judicature, freedom of the press, referendums..."
"What is all that?" asked the Emperor.
"Just a few ideas that have ceased to be modern."
Given the instant success of Waugh's first two novels, the critical response was lukewarm, and the novel became better known for its attack on the Catholic journal, 'The Tablet', and the heated response from that organ's editor, Ernest Oldmeadow, who asserted that it was "a work both disgraceful and scandalous. It abounds in coarse and sometimes disgusting passages, and its climax is disgusting". Needless to say this did nothing to harm sales.
The Map
The action takes place on an island off the coast of Italian Somaliland in the early years of the twentieth century. The map shows an outline of the island which resembles Madagascar, but its exact dimensions aren't disclosed. The channel between the island and mainland Africa, and the mountains in the South of the island, are named after the native people, the Sakuyu, herdsmen described as being black, naked and cannibalistic.
In the north of the island is the "Wanda Jungle", home to farmers called the Wanda who came from the mainland in the distant past. Arab traders had settled along the coast nearest the mainland of Africa and concentrated in the only port, Matodi, which lies on the Equator in the Southwest of the island.
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Find Us
New York
PO Box 329, Larchmont, NY, USA
Opening hours, London Gallery
Monday to Friday: 10:00 – 18:00
Saturday: by appointment
Closed: all bank holidays and 1-31 August
Opening hours, New York
By appointment only