[Rolfe]

For anyone who has read the highly evocative and poaching book classic " I Walked By Night" by Lilias Rider Haggard and first published in 1935.....This new book will be of great interest.
Charlotte Paton has just published a brand new book on that old rogue Frederick Rolfe called "The King of the Norfolk Poachers" (His Life and Times). I first met Charlotte about six years ago now when I heard she was researching into the mystery man who was never named in the original "I Walked by Night". It was also a passion of mine to find out more about the mysterious character portrayed in the book( Hence My Profile Name). To cut a very long story short, we corresponded and swapped snippets of information until i eventually became good friends with Charlotte and her husband Brian. After many meetings, and we also did some filming for a future DVD production about Frederick Rolfe.

Charlotte has produced a comprehensive and definitive biography of the notorious poacher, and some of her findings were startling to say the least. He was nothing like the lovable rogue he purported to be in his original manuscript and to say he was economical with the truth was an understatement. I cannot go into too much detail as this would spoil the enjoyment of the future reader.......but suffice to say the book contains everything you ever wanted to know about the old poacher.........and many things you probably didn't want to know. It is a compelling read.......and takes you on an intriguing journey from the cradle to his ultimate sad tragic death.

The book is published by Old Pond and is priced at £19.95 www.oldpond.com Tel 01473 238200

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[Tis TM]

Intriguing... that'd make a great christmas pressie, and If I buy it now I could read it before I wrapped it :laugh:

[Rolfe]

Tis TM, on Oct 2 2009, 07:35 PM, said:

Intriguing... that'd make a great christmas pressie, and If I buy it now I could read it before I wrapped it :laugh:

It would make a brilliant Christmas pressie......but it would be an advantage to have read the original classic otherwise it might take some following of Rolfe's family history, that said the book contains a wealth of information on the sqalid times and hardships endured by the agricultural labourers in the late 1800's and the dreaded "Workhouse" etc.

[Tis TM]

Rolfe, on Oct 2 2009, 07:45 PM, said:

Tis TM, on Oct 2 2009, 07:35 PM, said:

Intriguing... that'd make a great christmas pressie, and If I buy it now I could read it before I wrapped it :laugh:

It would make a brilliant Christmas pressie......but you must have read the original classic otherwise it would would prove meaningless..........But if you HAVE read the original then it is a fantastic book.

I haven't... yet! but am on the case.... (now watch ebay sales sore!)

[whin]

GOOD OLD BOOK STAYED DOWN THAT WAY BUNGAY ETC IN THE EARLY NINTIES SOME OLD CHARACTERS THERE

[Rolfe]

whin, on Oct 2 2009, 10:03 PM, said:

GOOD OLD BOOK STAYED DOWN THAT WAY BUNGAY ETC IN THE EARLY NINTIES SOME OLD CHARACTERS THERE

Strange folks them that are born of an east wind........ as they say. ;) Was in Bungay last night for the book launch.

[OldTrapCollector]

I have a good mate down in Bungay, Rolfe - you should have mentioned the book launch - I am sure that he would have gone along

I also have a nice spare copy of the original book 'I Walked By Night' if anyone wants to read the classic before reading this latest book? PM me for details

OTC

This post has been edited by OldTrapCollector: 03 October 2009 - 08:07 AM

[Rolfe]

OldTrapCollector, on Oct 3 2009, 09:07 AM, said:

I have a good mate down in Bungay, Rolfe - you should have mentioned the book launch - I am sure that he would have gone along

I also have a nice spare copy of the original book 'I Walked By Night' if anyone wants to read the classic before reading this latest book? PM me for details

OTC

Unfortunately it was an Invitation Only function (by the publishers) OTC, otherwise i would have put a post up as i know a lot of people are interested in the original classic........So if anyone hasn't read the book....take OTC up on his offer.

[traceyg]

Fancy a read of the 1st one Rolfe .Got my eye on one on eBay lets hope i am lucky :)

[MuttleMcTuttle]

Fascinating... I'll have a read of Charlotte's book.

I can vaguely remember my Dad talking about Frederick Rolfe, not in a particularly complimentary way either! His family lived in the Bungay area at the time.

Thanks for the info Rolfe :thumbs:

[Rolfe]

MuttleMcTuttle, on Oct 3 2009, 10:42 PM, said:

Fascinating... I'll have a read of Charlotte's book.

I can vaguely remember my Dad talking about Frederick Rolfe, not in a particularly complimentary way either! His family lived in the Bungay area at the time.

Thanks for the info Rolfe :thumbs:

Yes Fred lived out the last few years of his life in Bungay (Nethergate St) and in the book Charlotte speaks to some elderly people from Bungay who actually knew and met Fred....it would appear his reputation lived on in many peoples recollections long after his tragic death in 1938.

Rolfe.

[traceyg]

I won the book on ebay cant wait to read it :clapper: :clapper: :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:

[artic]

"I walked by night" just arrived. Its in very good condition, not bad for £10.

I will enjoy reading this book.

[Bosun11]

Great news Rolfe, I have and have always enjoyed "I Walked...." and this i'm sure will be a cracker too, i'll see the Mrs for me Crimbo prez ;)

[roady]

looking foreward to reading this book obviously its going to give more of a realistic version of the man himself but the first one is a must read for all,atb with the book