Originally published in monthly magazine instalments in 1839, 'The Life And Adventures of Valentine Vox- The Ventriloquist' (1840- this copy 1848) is a fascinating slice of Victorian- era social commentary & history, usually associated with Dickens.
Written by Henry Cockton (1807-1853), the book chronicles the voice- throwing escapades and mis-adventures of Valentine Vox, its anti-hero and self- taught ventriloquist. Initially set in Suffolk, locals soon tire of Vox's ventriloquististic pranks and jolly japes, and his family pack him off to London to live with his uncle (the delightfully named) Grimwood Goodman, and rather than curbing Vox's voice- throwing escapades London makes them worse!
Whilst the book is funny, mischievous & delightfully illustrated (Thomas Onwhyn), it also has a much deeper, darker sub-plot which exposes the horrors of the Britain's 19th century 'private lunatic asylum' system. In fact Grimwood Goodman is eventually wrongly confined in one, and his plight (although fictional) helped draw attention to this inhumane and cruel system.
Not long after the book's publication, a critical piece of social reform and legislation- 'The Lunacy Act' (1845) was passed by Sir Robert Peel's government.
Little is known about Henry Cockton's early life, upbringing and education but his writing (although not as celebrated as Dickens') deserves recognition. 'Valentine Vox', reflected the social and moral zeitgeist of the time, and played a part in drawing attention to the treatment and understanding of mental illness in the victorian era.
Other copies of books by Cockton including: 'Sylvester Sound the Somnambulist', available to browse in the shop…
Originally published in monthly magazine instalments in 1839, 'The Life And Adventures of Valentine Vox- The Ventriloquist' (1840- this copy 1848) is a fascinating slice of Victorian- era social commentary & history, usually associated with Dickens.
Written by Henry Cockton (1807-1853), the book chronicles the voice- throwing escapades and mis-adventures of Valentine Vox, its anti-hero and self- taught ventriloquist. Initially set in Suffolk, locals soon tire of Vox's ventriloquististic pranks and jolly japes, and his family pack him off to London to live with his uncle (the delightfully named) Grimwood Goodman, and rather than curbing Vox's voice- throwing escapades London makes them worse!
Whilst the book is funny, mischievous & delightfully illustrated (Thomas Onwhyn), it also has a much deeper, darker sub-plot which exposes the horrors of the Britain's 19th century 'private lunatic asylum' system. In fact Grimwood Goodman is eventually wrongly confined in one, and his plight (although fictional) helped draw attention to this inhumane and cruel system.
Not long after the book's publication, a critical piece of social reform and legislation- 'The Lunacy Act' (1845) was passed by Sir Robert Peel's government.
Little is known about Henry Cockton's early life, upbringing and education but his writing (although not as celebrated as Dickens') deserves recognition. 'Valentine Vox', reflected the social and moral zeitgeist of the time, and played a part in drawing attention to the treatment and understanding of mental illness in the victorian era.
Other copies of books by Cockton including: 'Sylvester Sound the Somnambulist', available to browse in the shop…
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