The Search for Ernest Bramah
The book
Despite very little formal education Ernest Bramah was a polymath and a writer of great erudition and knowledge and whose skills spread over many styles; a brilliant short story writer, a humorist who invented a whole new style of 'Mandarin English' that has never been successfully copied; the creator of a blind detective with incredible powers and a host of well drawn, fascinating characters who people his books, and articles which continue to attract readers more than half a century after his death.
Many personal details of the author, previously unknown, have been revealed. Bramah's political philosophy as well as the literary gestation and parturition of his major fictional characters, most particularly Kai Lung and Max Carrados are traced. Contemporary and later criticisms of his work are re-examined and there are extensive questions to illustrate the unique and never-to-be-copied style of writing.
Aubrey Wilson gives an incisive and lively account of this best-selling author whose life was totally hidden from his wide and enthusiastic public.