- Kim
- by Rudyard Kipling
- British lit, Indian lit, historical fiction, picaresque novel
- Published: 1901
- My edition: Project Gutenberg freebook (eBook)
- Setting: 1890s India
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Awards: Kipling won the Nobel Prize in Literature for this
and other works
- Also by this author (that I’ve read): Rudyard Kipling: Selected Poems
Who is Kim? Indeed, that is the question this picaresque novel addresses. The short answer is that Kim is Kimball O’Hara, about 13 years old, the orphaned son of an Irish soldier, living by his wits in the streets of Lahore. His skin is browned by the Sun and no one realizes that he is not a native Indian.
In a more philosophical sense, Kim is “the friend of all the world” a nickname that signifies Kim’s skill at making confidants of his fellow habitants, be they Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, Christian, or any of the different castes.
Kim befriends an aged Tibetan lama and becomes his chela (disciple). The lama is on a quest to discover the sacred river that will free him, and Kim, from the Wheel of Things. After some time though, Kim’s parentage is discovered by British authorities who enroll him in a proper British school in India. But he remains in contact with the lama. British officers recognize Kim’s unique ability to blend in anywhere in India, and after some years at school, he is employed by the British government as a spy to learn what he can about Russian activities in India. He does so, while at the same time rejoining his lama.
But who is Kim? He has been taught he is sahib—literally a term of respect but colloquially a white person or European. But is he?
“No, I am Kim. This is the great world, and I am only Kim. Who is Kim? He considered his identity, a thing he had never done before, till his head swam. He was one insignificant person in all this roaring whirl of India, going southward to he knew not what fate.
The reader, like Kim, cannot discover a simple answer to the question. Kim is many things to many people: chela to the lama, agent to the British, messenger, interpreter, and when he means to be, no one worth noticing. This story is literally and figuratively about Kim’s journey. My favorite parts are when he is traveling with the lama, and the apparent love they have for each other.
The lama professes…
“A blessing on thee.” The lama inclined his solemn head. “I have known many men in my so long life, and disciples not a few. But to none among men, if so be thou art woman-born, has my heart gone out as it has to thee—thoughtful, wise, and courteous; but something of a small imp.”
And in turn Kim…
Bit by bit, disconnectedly, each tale called up by some wayside thing, he spoke of all his wanderings up and down Hind [India]; till Kim, who had loved him [the lama] without reason, now loved him for fifty good reasons.
I enjoyed this story for Kipling’s authentic description and insight on India, for the diverse characters, and for the host of little things I learned about the non-western world. And I loved Kim's nickname — the friend of all the world
The only detraction was dialogue, and there’s a lot of dialogue. At times, it was difficult to follow the tone. There’s a lot of verbal sparring. I could understand the literal meaning, but was often unsure if it was said in jest or in earnest, complimentary or insulting. Yet, I prefer Kipling's realistic rendition, rather than a false westernized version.
As I understand it, Kipling is less the imperial apologist in this novel than in other writings. I can’t confirm it, as I’ve not read enough Kipling to compare. However, I confess that I was more interested in Kim’s time with his beloved lama, than in his time at the British school. But I don’t think it was precisely Kipling’s intent to advocate one over the other. They are after all, separate influences that would define — who is Kim.
My rating 3.5/5
Classic #27 of 50 for The Classics Club Challenge – Round IV
What is your experience with Rudyard Kipling? He is a diverse writer. What genre do you feel is his best? What should I read next?
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