Roundabout Papers (eBook)

William Makepeace Thackeray (1811–1863) was an illustrious nineteenth-century English novelist and satirist known for his keen observation of Victorian society and his insightful characterizations. Born into a prosperous family in Calcutta, India, Thackeray was sent to England for his education, attending the Charterhouse School and later Cambridge University, although he left without earning a degree. He initially aspired to be a painter but ultimately found his vocation in writing. His literary career was marked by an initial struggle for recognition until the publication of 'Vanity Fair' (1847–48), which is widely regarded as his masterpiece, firmly established his literary standing. Thackeray is known for his satirical works that provide a panoramic portrait of English society, and for his use of the narrative technique known as 'stream of consciousness' well ahead of its time. 'Roundabout Papers' (1860–63) consists of a collection of essays originally published in 'Cornhill Magazine', which he edited. The essays reflect his personal thoughts and observations and are characteristic of his conversational style and ironic wit. Thackeray's legacy rests on his ability to dissect the pretensions and follies of the society in which he lived with a combination of humor and moral seriousness, capturing the complexity of human experience with a narrative grace that endears him to readers down through the ages.