Product Description

This facsimile reprint with a foreword by Peter Ingram of this classic account of the reality of life as a Gypsy in the 1950s when Travellers lived in horse drawn wagons and stopped by the wayside in quiet country lanes wherever possible, but were often driven to "atch" besides main highways as so many of the old stopping-places were fenced-off or built upon. This book is full of stories of life on the road and descriptions of colourful characters living for the present despite constant harassment by police and suspicious landowners. The author, Dominic Reeve, still lives the life of a Traveller but in a modern caravan pulled by a heavily chromed four wheel drive pickup. Illustrated with his wife, Beshlie's fine drawings this is an inside account of "life on the road" and as such is of permanent value to both students and the general reader as a vivid portrayal of a vanished way of life.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #186671 in Books
• Published on: 2007-09-07
• Format: Facsimile
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 312 pages

About the Author
The author is notoriously secretive and his true name and any personal details about his past have never been publicly disclosed. It is known, however, that he took to the life of a Traveller in his late teens (he was not born a Gypsy) and although turned seventy continues to live and earn his living in the traditional way. His dislike for both academics and "do gooders" is balanced by his close friendship for fellow Travellers and his adherence to traditions which many of those born Gypsies have abandoned. His wife, who drew the illustrations, goes by the name of 'Beshlie' and her drawings were much admired by Augustus John (who painted her) and bought by Dame Laura Knight. Dominic and Beshlie regularly attend the traditional horse fairs at Stow but have no permanent fixed address and their publisher communicates with them via an accommodation address. His three books (each with illustrations by Beshlie) are considered to be the most accurate account of the evolving life of English Gypsies (Romanichal) and as such of lasting value. Their genuineness can be attributed to the author having lived the life of a Traveller for all his adult life.

Customer Reviews

A Brilliant Classic
Dominic Reeve, the author of 'Smoke in the Lanes' (as well as 'No Place Like Home'(1961) and 'Whichever Way We Turn'(1964?) is quite simply the most accurate and knowledgeable writer on the life of the English Romani Travelling People. Because this book was originally written during 1957 it does not describe Irish Travellers (who didn't arrive in significant numbers until the 1960s) Millions of words have appeared about Travellers in England in books, articles and academic papers since 'Smoke in the Lanes' was first published in 1958: not one of them can match the sheer 'inside knowledge' and acute observations which Dominic Reeve poured so authentically into this - the opening classic - of his vivid trilogy. No academic and none of the falsely acclaimed contemporary fakes they promote so naively who pretend to Romani blood could have written any of Dominic Reeve's books. He and his partner, the very talented artist, Beshlie, travelled with horse-drawn wagons, living and travelling and earning a living on the roads of southern England in the 1950s. They continued to travel after they changed over from horses to motors and trailers but that was later than the events covered in 'Smoke in the Lanes'. I first read this book as young man shortly after it was published. Dominic Reeve has probably had more influence on my life, through this book, than any one else for the simple reason that reading it changed the entire course of my life. There aren't many books one can say that about. The world of Travellers in southern England that is described here has simply been swept away by forces Travellers had no control over. This is the only book published since Patrick McEvoy's 'The Gorse and the Briar' appeared in 1938 (a world that had gone by 1958) that tells us more or less exactly what it was like to live on the roads among horse-drawn Travellers in the last days of 'Wagon-Time'. There is no nonsense here about English Romanies being the recently coined 'Roma' - a word wholly unknown within British Travellers' own usage. A brilliant book: without it most of what it contains about 'Wagon-Time' would be forgotten in a few more years. If you haven't read it it's a must.

Romany Travels
An excellent book detailing the travels of Dominic and his wife Beshlie across southern England during the 1950s'. It tells of the prejudices suffered by the Roma by the gadje (non - Roma) but in an informative manner, as well as some of the more colourful Roma characters encountered on their travels.
It is set out as a series of events, each subsection being a different stopping place with a different family. Detailing the personalities of each group. Informative reading for anyone who wishes to know more about the Roma way of life, or any diddiki (part Roma), wishing to learn of their heritage.

pleasant way to experience the hardships of the Roms
i found the book to be educational, and somewhat comical in parts. a good read and a great way to experience the hardships that the Roms endured. The accented ways of the spellings can be a little confusing at times but made the reading more exciting, I rate this book at A*+ "I LOVE" the title of this book. Jayjay