Books like Lavengro. The Scholar, The Gypsy, The Priest by George Henry Borrow

A historical novel about the author George Borrow's early life, focusing on his encounters with Romany people and his passion for languages and the English language. It includes criticism of the Catholic Church and its priests. Borrow tells of his upbringing as the son of an army recruiting officer, moving with the regiment to different locations in Britain, including Scotland and Ireland. He meets the Romany Jasper Petulengro, who becomes a life-long friend. Borrow is delighted to discover that the Romany have their own language, which of course he immediately sets out to learn. Borrow's subsequent life, up to his mid-twenties, is that of a wanderer, traveling from place to place in Britain, encountering many interesting individuals and having a variety of entertaining adventures. The book is considered a classic of English Literature and is based on the editions published by John Murray and edited by W. I. Knapp with many clarifying notes.

First publish date: June 30, 2004