The Aftermath; Or, Gleanings from a Busy Life Called upon the outer cover, for purposes of sale, Caliban's Guide to Letters

"The Aftermath; Or, Gleanings from a Busy Life" by Hilaire Belloc is a set of essays that looks at different parts of writing and regular life. Think of it as a bunch of thoughts the author had about books and what he saw in the world during the early 1900s. Belloc, who could write well and was funny, probably talks a lot about what he learned and the people he met as a writer. Right away, Belloc lets you know why he wrote the book, hoping it would teach new writers and critics something. He thinks back about his friend and teacher, Dr. Thomas Caliban, explaining carefully what Caliban’s life was like every day, what he wrote, and what he thought about the world. The beginning feels like a friendly lesson, encouraging readers to try writing and showing them what a devoted writer’s life could be.