Mary Ellen Brown

This was a book that needed to be written. Or, rather, it is part of such a book. Unfortunately, we're still missing the other part.

The part that needs to be written is a biography of Francis James Child. Brown gives us about fifty pages of biography -- probably the best now available, but not enough. For example, there are hints that Child was autistic. But Brown does not give enough information to be confident about the conclusion (and never mentions autism herself).

The second, and larger, part of the book examines Child's work on his monumental publication The English and Scottish Popular Ballads. This too is a vital project, but the text tends to degenerate into a collection of quotes from letters between Child and his collaborators. The narrative flow is too easily lost. A simple collection of letters, with introductions, might have served better.

Both parts of the book are vital. Both deserve more space. If ever there is a second edition of this work, it could become a true classic. As it is, the biography is too short and the rest too incoherent for greatness. Sad, because, even in its current state, this is a unique and irreplaceable book.… (altro)