The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition, Vol. 09

A rich assortment of personal recollections and vivid sketches, this volume gathers the author’s reflections on childhood, family, and the varied places that shaped his outlook. The opening essay, “The Foreigner at Home,” sets a tone of affectionate irony as he muses on the cultural mosaics of his native land, while later pieces turn to nostalgic school days, an old Scottish gardener, and the character of dogs that once kept him company.

Interwoven with these memoirs are longer portraits of relatives—grandfather, father, and the enigmatic Fleeming Jenkin—offering glimpses into a world of academic pursuits, overseas voyages, and the quiet dramas of domestic life. The author’s voice balances humor with earnest sentiment, inviting listeners to wander through memories that feel both intimate and universal, all while hinting at the deeper currents that have guided his own journey.