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The Belovéd Vagabond Summary
The Belovéd Vagabond by William John Locke is a 1906 novel that follows the adventures of Paragot, a charismatic bohemian who adopts a young street urchin named Asticot. Together, they traverse 19th-century Europe, embracing a life of freedom and artistic exploration, while Paragot's mysterious past gradually unfolds.
The Belovéd Vagabond Excerpt
Short Summary: Paragot, a charming bohemian with a mysterious past, adopts young Asticot, and together they journey through 19th-century Europe, exploring art, life, and the complexities of human relationships.
"This is not a story about myself. Like Canning's organ-grinder, I have none to tell. It is the story of Paragot, the belovéd vagabond—please pronounce his name French-fashion—and if I obtrude myself on your notice, it is because I was so much involved in the medley of farce and tragedy which made up some years of his life that I don't know how to tell the story otherwise. To Paragot, I owe everything. He is at once my benefactor, my venerated master, my beloved friend, my creator. Clay in his hands, he moulded me according to his caprice and inspired me with the breath of life. My existence is drenched with the colour of Paragot. I lay claim to no personality of my own, and any obiter dicta that may fall from my pen in the course of the ensuing narrative are but reflections of Paragot's philosophy. Men have spoken evil of him. I propose to write his apologia."
In this opening passage, the narrator, Asticot, introduces Paragot, the central figure whose influence shapes his life. Paragot, a man of enigmatic charm and bohemian spirit, leads Asticot through a series of adventures across Europe. Their journey is marked by encounters with artists, vagabonds, and the occasional brush with Paragot's concealed past. As they navigate the complexities of freedom and societal norms, Asticot's admiration for Paragot grows, even as he becomes aware of the inner turmoil that his mentor conceals beneath his carefree exterior."
