Robin P (5 star)
Everyone who loves English literature should already know who Robert Keable was. For those who don't: he was a parish priest, missionary in Africa, chaplain during World War One, an inspiring teacher, and for many years a closet Catholic, but he is best remembered as the author of a saucy novel which caused a big stir in the 1920s.
Keable's grandson has written a thoroughly researched book with honesty and compassion and it is much more than just a biography with important reappraisals of Keable's novels and the context in which they were received. The details of life in Africa and Tahiti a century ago are particularly well written and fascinating. A book for all true book lovers.
Susan J, (4 Star)
Robert Keable, born into an Evangelical family, was fated to follow his father into the Anglican Church. But he was, even as a youngster, someone with a mind of his own and by the time he was in University, he had already dismissed the evangelical bent and was questioning his faith and where he could best use it. He went as a missionary to Africa and was a man ahead of his time in how he viewed the native people. But it was when he convinced and then accompanied them to France during WWI, their treatment and the brutality of war made him question everything.
He’d been a writer already but the book he wrote- Simon Called Peter- not only created the final schism from his life as a minister but shocked the reading public. Utterly immoral was what F Scott Fitzgerald called it. And it was something very modern in its themes and storyline. What would have shocked even more was the story was autobiographical. Utterly Immoral is written by his grandson and tells the story of his short but colourful life. It follows his journey all over the world, living common law with his mistresses and marching to his own drummer.
He lived two lives, one traditional and public; the other was unconventional but private. He was an unusual man for his time and his story is quite compelling. Four purrs and two paws up. .
Louise G, (4 star)
Even if you know nothing of the subject’s work, this is a fascinating book which spans many fascinating contexts. The author explores in detail all aspects of the subject’s life and does not shy away from difficult or challenging topics.
Gail C, (3star)
I was drawn to read Utterly Immoral as I knew nothing about Robert Keable and I was curious about this unconventional person.
Overall, there are some hidden gems of information in this book. Keable's first hand accounts of being in Africa as a young clergyman are refreshingly honest. His struggles with his convictions were real, and proved to be so overwhelming that he changed the course of his life. The war experience is also very interesting, and remarkable that he made such remarks and was not banished into obscurity. He painted soldiers and war life without the brutal fighting.
Most of the book is a discussion of his books. The one that sets his career into a staggering direction is the controversial Simon Called Peter. Without having read the book, the book seems to have caused a stir in the literary world and gotten Robert on the road to being a writer, and certainly a well paid one as time went on.
The book also discussed his personal life, his wife, the other women and his time in Tahiti where he seemed very happy until his early passing.
There is too much information on all the reviews of his books, and the back and forth with his editors on publishing rights, money and where the book would be a movie, a play etc. It got redundant for me, and I wish it concentrated more on his decisions about his children and his wives.
Emi Yoshida (3 star)
My favorite thing about this thoroughly researched book was its title; I'd never heard of its subject before, author Simon Keable-Elliott's grandfather Robert Keable and his most famous book, Simon Called Peter. Simon Called Peter was about an English military chaplain's struggles with his religion, work, marriage, and maintaining loyalty to any of them. Its reputation due to bits of unprecedented naughtiness earned it plenty of acclaim and attention, but serious reviewers pointed out that readers interested only in the prurient parts were generally disappointed, citing "too much religion and too little passion". And I will admit I too found this book about that book a bit disappointing for their collective basis in religious faith, teachings and indoctrination. Keable's exotic travels (in Basutoland, France, Tahiti), romantic exploits, views on race and marriage, and publishing travails are fascinating, especially considering how short his lifespan and how much he managed to fit in. The Kindle version I read is missing several photos, but I enjoyed seeing the ones that were included.
It's none of my business but I'd so love to know how family members dealt with Robert Keable's eccentricities, fame and legacy.