Rudyard Kipling

"Rudyard Kipling" by John Palmer is an analysis of the celebrated author, Rudyard Kipling, that looks closely at Kipling's life and writing. The book highlights how Kipling told stories and the important topics he liked to write about, such as bravery and the skill of crafting a good story. By sharing stories and offering critiques, Palmer provides a look into how Kipling approached writing, especially when it came to British colonialism and how he portrayed India. Palmer starts by telling a story of a novelist, Eustace Cleever, meeting young soldiers, showing that Kipling respected those who did real, practical work. Palmer argues that Kipling admired action and real achievements, but at his core, he was a masterful storyteller who crafted tales full of understanding. The book suggests that Kipling's stories about India were more about his skill as a writer than about truly understanding the country and its people, urging the reader to think about how complex Kipling's stories are and what they tell us about his impact on literature.