Augustus Carp, Esq. Being the Autobiography of a Really Good Man
By:Sir H. H. Bashford Published By:Double9 Books
About the Book
Augustus Carp, Esq. Being the Autobiography of a Really Good Man humorously critiques middle-class life and its obsession with moral superiority. The protagonist, who believes himself to be the epitome of virtue, narrates his life with an inflated sense of self-importance. His autobiography starts with reflections on his childhood and family, emphasizing his fatherÍs respectable yet flawed character and the values instilled in him. Throughout the story, his efforts to portray himself as morally upright contrast with the mundane and often absurd realities of life. His personal narrative becomes increasingly comical as he describes his ailments, family dynamics, and the moral lessons he perceives in every situation. The book exposes the conflict between personal righteousness and societal expectations, using satire to highlight the absurdity of self-righteousness. By juxtaposing the protagonistÍs inflated moral view with his ordinary, sometimes ridiculous, life experiences, the novel offers a humorous critique of virtue, society, and the human tendency to elevate oneÍs self-image.
Sir Henry Howarth Bashford FRCP was a famous English physician who served as King George VI's Honorary Physician. He was also a novelist, primarily of satirical books. Bashford was born on January 13, 1880, in Kensington, London, as the son of Frederick Bashford and Henrietta Eleanor, daughter of the Rev. Henry Howarth, Rector of St George's, Hanover Square and Chaplain in Ordinary to Queen Victoria. On his paternal side, his grandpa, Lt. J. Bashford (later Captain), Royal Navy, was named in the official list of the wounded at the Battle of Trafalgar, which he fought on board HMS Royal Sovereign. Bashford studied at Bedford Modern School, the University of London, and the London Hospital. Bashford was the Post Office's Chief Medical Officer from 1933 to 1943, and then the Treasury Medical Adviser from 1943 to 1945. He served as King George VI's Honorary Physician from 1941 to 1944 and was the late Honorary President of the Post Office Ambulance Centre and the St. John Ambulance Association. On June 9, 1938, he was appointed knight-bachelor of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, as proclaimed in the King's birthday honors.