Savrola

infobox Book |
name =
title_orig = Savrola
translator =

image_caption = Chivers 1973 edition
author = Winston Churchill
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country = UK
language = English
series =
genre = Fiction
publisher = Longman, Green and Co.
pub_date = 1899
english_pub_date =1899
media_type = Print ()
pages = 345 (1st edition)
isbn = ISBN 0884110745
preceded_by =
followed_by =

Savrola: A Tale of the Revolution in Laurania is the only fiction book written by Sir Winston Churchill. The story describes events in the capital of Laurania as unrest against the dictatorial government of president Antonia Molara turns to violent revolution.

The novel was commenced by Churchill on the voyage from Britain to India to take part in the Malakand campaign in August 1897. Churchill was on leave from his posting with the army in India when he had news of fighting in Malakand, and immediately arranged to return. The book was started before, and completed after writing "The Story of the Malakand Field Force" about his experiences there. He wrote to his brother in May 1898 that the book had been completed. Working title for the book was "Affairs of State." It was initially published as a serialisation in Macmillan's Magazine between May and December 1899, and was then published as a book in February 1900. An American edition appeared November 1899. cite book |first=Roy |last=Jenkins|title=Churchill|date=2001|page 32-34 |isbn=0333782909 |publisher=Macmillan]

Background

Savrola was published just four years after the classic Ruritanian romance, The Prisoner of Zenda, by Anthony Hope. One of the characters, Tiro, an officer in the republican guard discusses his life in conversation with Savrolo, mirroring the life of a subaltern officer in the Indian Army which Churchill had experienced. The politics and institutions of Laurania reflect the values of England as Churchill experienced them. A comparison has been drawn between Molara and Oliver Cromwell, against whom an ancestor of Churchills, also Winston Churchill fought as a captain of horse, and which family history would have been familiar to Churchill. The capital and its institutions are a miniature of London, the State ball follows the etiquette of great society gatherings in London which Churchill would have attended. [Mendelssohn p. 109-110]

The heroine of the story, Lucile, is believed to have been modelled upon Churchill's mother, Lady Randolph Churchill. Lucille is the wife of the out of touch ruler of Laurania, Morala. Lucile abandons Morala for the charms of Savrola, a character more like Churchill himself. Savrola is described as 'vehement, high and daring', and the sort of man who could 'know rest only in action, contentment only in danger, and in confusion find their only peace... Ambition was the motive force, and he was powerless to resist it'. The story contains a nurse, who again has been compared to Churchill's own nurse, Mrs Everest. The book is dedicated to the officers of the IVth Hussars, Churchill's regiment.

Critical Reception

Churchill first sought the opinion of friends and relations about the book. He asked his grandmother, Frances, Duchess of Marlborough, to comment, with particular reference to the character of Lucille. She responded that she felt the book was worthwhile for publication, particluarly since it already had the prospect of a reasonable financial return, but felt the plot might be improved. She was impressed by the descriptions of fighting, but agreed with Churchill's concerns about Lucille, suggesting the charcter betrayed his lack of experience of women. However, an offer of £100 from the Morning Post for the right to serialise the book left Churchill no time for amendments, and it was published as it stood. [Churchill/Gilbert Vol.I p. 437-438]

The book was reviewed by the newspaper, The Star, which was modestly impressed. The reviewer considered that it was clearly inferior to 'The Rive War', which Churchill had already published although this book was written earlier, but would otherwise have been a promising start. It was compared to the works of Benjamin Disraeli, a politician who also wrote novels containing significant amounts of social comment. The reviewer observed that in both cases the books served to maintain public interest in their authors. The characters were described as 'stock puppets of brisk romance', but the fighting scenes were impressive and full of suspense.

The Echo was less impressed. While acknowledging that the book showed promise and was interesting, it was critical of the lack of detail in the plot and in love scenes. Unlike some other reviews, which had been entertained by the philosophy and political comment, this considered the 'desperate efforts after intellectuality' as simply dull. It felt the book overly dependant on fighting and bloodshed to carry it along. [ Churchill/Gilbert Vol. I, p.516]

The book was not an enormous success but persisted. In 1965 a review by Bryan Magee for ' Encounter' observed that the book had hung on in libraries as an adventure tale for children, but regretted that it was neglected by adults. The review recognised that perhaps its greatest interest was now the insight it gave of Churchill's beliefs as a young man. The character of Savrola identified precisely with Churchill himself, with what he wished to be and what he later became. [Churchill/Gilbert Vol. I, p.517-518]

Plot

Events take place in a fictional country called Laurania somewhere bordering on the Mediterranean sea, which is similar to Italy or Spain, but with an overlay of victorian England. Laurania has an African colony which can be reached via the Suez Canal. It has been a republic for many years, and has a well established constitution. Five years previously (stated to be in 1883) the country was split by a civil war, as a result of which General Antonio Molara became President and Dictator. Unrest has arisen because of Molara's refusal to restore parliamentary rule and the final events of this rule are described in the book.

The story opens with a descripton of the capital and fast moving political events. Molara has bowed to popular pressure for elections, but intends to do so on the basis of a grossly amended electoral register. Savrola is seen as the leader of the revolutionaries deciding what to do, and presiding over conflicting factions with differing aims. Despite the unrest, society still proceeds on the surface in a genteel course, with state balls and society events. Molara decides to ask his young and beautifull wife, Lucille, to attempt to seduce Savrola and discover anything she can about his plans. Unfortunately for him, Lucille finds herself attracted to Savrola and her loyalties confused.

Events move from political maneuvering to street fighting when a rebel army invades Laurania. While Savrola knows about the army and intended invasion, he has poor control over it, so the invasion has started without his knowledge or proper preparations. Both sides scramble for a fight, as Molara finds the countries regular troops refuse to obey his orders. He is obliged to despatch most of the loyal Republican Guard from the capital to oppose the invaders, leaving him a much reduced force to hold the capital. Fierce street fighting takes place in the capital between the revolutionaries of the Popular Party and the Republican Guard. The revolution culminates in the storming of the Presidential Palace and the death on the steps of his palace of General Molara. The revolutionary allies start to break apart in the face of a threat by the Lauranian navy, which remains loyal to the president, to bombard the city unless Savrola is handed over to them. The council of public safety decides the most expedient position would be to agree to this, but Savrola escapes attempts to arrest him and flees with Lucille. The city is subsequently bombarded when Savrola is not produced, and the last scene is of Savrola watching the destruction from outside the city.

Laurania's African colony

During 1886 and 1887 there was unrest in the African colony. This was dealt with by the small but very effective Lauranian Army, with the support of the Lauranian Navy. In 1888 a border dispute with the British increased tension in that part of Africa, and the arrival of HMS Aggressor in the area precipitated the despatch of the several Lauranian warships to 'show the flag'. This was also intended to dissuade the British from taking any military action in support of their claim on the disputed area.

A description of the City of Laurania

* 'Three hundred thousand people live there'.
* 'The palace stood upon high ground commanding a wide view of the city and harbour ... The red and blue tiled roofs were relieved by frequent gardens and squares whose green and graceful palms soothed and gratified the eye. To the north the great pile of the Senate House and Parliament buildings loomed up majestic and imposing. Westward lay the harbour with its shipping and protective forts'.
* Part of the harbour's defences include a military mole, at the end of which is a 'shapeless mound of earth that marked the protecting battery of the harbour ...'.
* The seaward battery is armed with 'nine-inch guns', some of which are within embrasures and some are en barbette.
* The entrance to the harbour is 'nearly a mile wide, but the navigable channel itself was dangerously narrow and extremely difficult.'
* There is a 'great square in front of the Parliament House'. The square is called Constitution Square.
* There is a railway line that runs 'right to the frontier'.

Editions

Savrola was initially published as a book of 345 pages and 70,000 words by Longman Green and Co. The serial rights were sold to Macmillain’s Magazine for £100. Overall, by serialisation and in the Longman editions in different countries it earned approximately £700 for Churchill. It was serialised again in the Sunday Dispatch in 1954 on the occasion of Churchill’s 80th birthday. [Mendelssohn p.106] A dramatisation of the story was broadcast in 1964 as part of Saturday night Theatre by BBC radio. [ cite web| publisher=radiolistings |url= http://www.radiolistings.co.uk/programmes/savrola.html|accessdate=2008-05-29|title=Savrola|]

The first edition was published in the USA by Longmans in November 1899, with a print run of 4000 copies and a price of $1.25. This was shortly followed in January 1900 by the UK edition of 1500 copies priced 6 shillings. 4500 copies were issued of a colonial edition distributed throughout the empire, although a separate edition was issued in Canada by Copp Clark using the same Longman’s imprint.

In 1908 a paperback illustrated edition of 128 pages was published in the UK by George Newnes for 6d. In 1915 a new hardback edition of 25,000 copies and 260 pages was issued by Hodder and Stoughton for 7d. In 1956 a second American edition of 241 pages was published by Random house, now risen to $3.50. In 1957 a paperback edition of 222 pages was issued in the UK by Beacon books for 2s 6d. In 1973 a hardback edition of 260 pages was published by Cedric Chivers Ltd. on behalf of the library association for £2.20. Another USA edition was produced in 1976 by Amereon House. In 1990 Leo Cooper published a further UK edition, and others have been produced. There have been a number of editions translated into foreign languages. [cite web| url=http://www.savrola.co.uk/results.php?hippo=worksof&work=Savrola |title=Savrola |accessdate=2008-09-30| publisher=Savrola website]

References

* [http://www.ibookdb.net/isbn/0884110745 ibookDB] Internet Book Database description of Savrola
* [http://www.savrola.co.uk/worksofwsc.php?article=sav savrola] Savrola page from the collected works of W. S. Churchill
*cite book |title=Winston S. Churchill, Volume I, youth 1874-1900 |author=Randolph Churchill |author2=Martin Gilbert |publisher=William Heinemann Ltd. |place=London |year=1966
*cite book |title=The age of Churchill:Heritage and Adventure 1874-1911 |author=Peter de Mendelssohn |publisher=Thames and Hudson| place=London |year=1961