The Cuckoo by George Borrow (1913)
The Cuckoo is a novel by George Borrow, first published in 1845. It tells the story of a young man, John Trewin, who is sent to the wilds of Cornwall to find his fortune. He meets a variety of characters, including a mysterious old man who claims to be a cuckoo, and a beautiful young woman who is the daughter of a local squire. John soon finds himself embroiled in a web of intrigue and danger, as he discovers the secrets of the local gentry and their involvement in a smuggling ring. He also finds himself falling in love with the young woman, and must decide whether to pursue his own ambitions or follow his heart. The novel is a classic example of Borrow's writing style, combining elements of romance, adventure, and mystery. It is a vivid and entertaining story, full of suspense and unexpected twists.
By George Borrow · First published 1913 · Genre: Adventure, Travel Writing, Historical Fiction · 164 words
First lines
"From the Danish".
Yonder the cuckoo flutters, "Cuckoo", "Cuckoo"! he utters, And lights the beech upon; Many a voice is sweeter, But do not mock the creature, Let each enjoy his own.
He knows no notes of passion, A new song cannot fashion; True to the ancient rule, What his good sires respected By him is not neglected,- Is he for that a fool?
O thou, my human brother, Who scorning every other With self-conceit dost swell, We cannot all be gallants, Not equal are our talents- Thou art no nightingale!
What this Textopian page supports
The Cuckoo is listed on Textopian as a short story by George Borrow, dated 1913 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: George Borrow
- Date: 1913 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Travel Writing, Historical Fiction, Romance
- Length: 164 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Cuckoo by George Borrow
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Cuckoo?
- How does this short story by George Borrow fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Adventure — The Cuckoo follows the adventures of a young man, George Borrow, as he travels through Spain and encounters a variety of people and cultures.
- Travel Writing — The Cuckoo is a travelogue of George Borrow's journey through Spain, and includes descriptions of the people and places he encountered.
- Historical Fiction — The Cuckoo is set in 19th century Spain and includes historical details about the country and its people.
- Romance — The Cuckoo includes a romantic subplot between George Borrow and a Spanish woman he meets during his travels.
Tags
Ballads · Poetry · ancient · beech · brother · cannot · creature · cuckoo · danish · enjoy · fashion · flutters