Life and Adventures of Jack Engle: An Auto-Biography; A Story of New York at the Present Time in which the Reader Will Find Some Familiar Characters (Iowa Whitman Series) Hardcover – February 17, 2017

Having never read Whitman before, I came into this novel without preconceived expectations of greatness. I knew Leaves of Grass was a monumental work of poetry and some tidbits of Whitman's biography, but otherwise I was just hoping for some good ol' writing from the 1800s. With that respect, this newly-discovered novella is a winner.The story arc felt very much like Dickens on speed. Fast-paced adventures, characters with surprise significance and a general rags-to-riches theme. The writing was witty at times and not difficult to understand. Despite its age, I felt myself laughing out loud at some of the clever turns of phrase and descriptions. It clearly felt tailored to popular desires of newsprint serialized stories.I don't think anyone would call this a literary masterpiece, despite its legendary author, but it was a lot of fun and it kept my interest enough that I was able to finish it in two days. Even the grad student who uncovered the novel didn't seem overly impressed by it. In the introduction it was clear that he thinks Whitman is the best thing to happen to America since America, but his praise for Jack Engle was tepid. He did note some connections to Leaves of Grass, which I suspect Whitman fanatics will be most enthralled by. I can only imagine how I would react if someone uncovered a novel by Shakespeare. Even if it turned out to be a complete dud, I would obsess over every word.OVERALL: The historical significance of this novel alone makes it worth reading. Kudos to all the literary nerds out there willing to dig through archives to find such hidden treasures. Whether you're in love with Whitman or have never read him before, The Life and Adventures of Jack Engle is a fast-paced romp through the 1850s, with a cast of charming characters and plot that will keep you turning the pages. I will definitely be reading Leaves of Grass soon.

Great quick read. Very engaging and interesting to see the authors style at this stage of his life.

This forgotten novel, resurrected from obscurity and dust, conveys in narrative form many of the aspects of Walt Whitman's talent that made him one of the greatest poets in the history of literature.. The novel goes along in the usual way until toward the end Whitman's poetic genius is revealed in narrative form. It is the part of the novel one may want to read more than once to appreciate his growing mastery of the language at the time he wrote it.There are certainly better novels one can read by other 19th century authors, but this novel really foretells in its content what compelled Whitman to write "Leaves of Grass" which inspired the work of many authors and writers well into the 20th century. Anyone who admires Whitman as a poet should take a few hours to read this novel and perhaps wonder what who he might have become as a writer if he had devoted himself to narratives instead.

During these days they had house-builder (Walt Whitman) in Brooklin who wrote us this beautifull story. Times have change.This book is a must. You will leave through the details of day to day life in NewYork in the 1850.I read it twice . I had to dig who were these Whig and Locofocos political party.Bravo Mr W.Whitman , you are the master of the american's litterature. In Leaves of grass.USATo the States or any one of them, or any city of the States,Resist much,obey little,Once questioning obedience, once fully enslaved,Once fully enslaved, no nation, state, city, of this earth, ever afterward resumes its liberty.1860Walt Whitman

A lovely little story, with even obscure Whitman showing his characteristic love of ordinary people and of his country.

His poetry is better.

Who knew Walt Whitman was a novelist as well as a poet? Here's the proof. It's not very good, but then he had oversized talent in the poetry department, so I guess life is fair after all.

I thought I would like this, being a huge "Leaves of Grass" fan. But alas, it reminded me of a first book by those authors whose first book wasn't up to snuff.

Je fut séduit par l'auteur, mais c'est l'oeuvre d'un débutant.

Nice story.