Companionable Books by Henry Van Dyke

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Companionable Books by Henry Van Dyke

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By Betty Young Posted on Jan 5, 2026

In Category - Online Safety

Authors: Van Dyke, Henry, 1852-1933 Published By : Van Dyke, Henry, 1852-1933

Book Language: English

Hey, have you ever thought about the books you'd want with you if you were stranded on a desert island? Not the practical survival guides, but the ones that feel like old friends. That's the simple, wonderful idea at the heart of 'Companionable Books.' It's not a story with a villain or a mystery to solve. Instead, Henry Van Dyke invites you on a quiet, thoughtful walk through his personal library. He shares the authors and stories that have been his lifelong companions, from Shakespeare to Wordsworth. It's a gentle argument against reading just for facts or trends, and a warm reminder to find the books that speak to your soul. If you love the feeling of a good book in your hands and the quiet joy of a literary conversation, this is like a letter from a like-minded friend.

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it. The other kind of criticism you will find chiefly in the omissions. So (changing the figure to suit this cabin by the sea) I send forth my new ship, hoping only that it may carry something desirable from each of the ports where it has taken on cargo, and that it may not be sunk by the enemy before it touches at a few friendly harbours. HENRY VAN DYKE. SYLVANORA, _Seal Harbour, Me., August 19, 1922_. CONTENTS _I._ _The Book of Books_ 1 _II._ _Poetry in the Psalms_ 33 _III._ _The Good Enchantment of Dickens_ 63 _IV._ _Thackeray and Real Men_ 103 _V._ _George Eliot and Real Women_ 131 _VI._ _The Poet of Immortal Youth (Keats)_ 165 _VII._ _The Recovery of Joy (Wordsworth)_ 189 _VIII._ _“The Glory of the Imperfect” (Browning)_ 233 _IX._ _A Quaint Comrade by Quiet Streams (Walton)_ 289 _X._ _A Sturdy Believer (Samuel Johnson)_ 307 _XI._ _A Puritan Plus Poetry (Emerson)_ 333 _XII._ _An Adventurer in a Velvet Jacket (Stevenson)_ 357 ILLUSTRATIONS _John Keats_ Frontispiece Facing page _Charles Dickens as Captain Bobadil in “Every Man in His Humour”_ 82 _William Makepeace Thackeray_ 120 _William Wordsworth_ 200 _Robert Browning_ 246 _Samuel Johnson_ 314 _Ralph Waldo Emerson_ 340 _Robert Louis Stevenson_ 360 _In the cover design by Margaret Armstrong the books and authors are represented by the following symbolic flowers: Bible—grapes; Psalms—wheat; Dickens—English holly; Thackeray—English rose; George Eliot—ivy; Keats—bleeding-heart; Wordsworth—daffodil; Browning—pomegranate; Izaak Walton—strawberry; Johnson—oak; Stevenson—Scottish bluebell._ THE BOOK OF BOOKS _An Apologue_ There was once an Eastern prince who was much enamoured of the art of gardening. He wished that all flowers delightful to the eye, and all fruits pleasant to the taste and good for food, should grow in his dominion, and that in growing the flowers should become more fair, the fruits more savoury and nourishing. With this thought in his mind and this desire in his heart, he found his way to the Ancient One, the Worker of Wonders who dwells in a secret place, and made known his request. “For the care of your gardens and your orchards,” said the Ancient One, “I can do nothing, since that charge has been given to you and to your people. Nor will I send blossoming plants and fruiting trees of every kind to make your kingdom rich and beautiful as by magic, lest the honour of labour should be diminished, and the slow reward of patience despised, and even the living gifts bestowed upon you without toil should wither and die away. But this will I do: a single tree shall be brought to you from a far country by the hands of my servants, and you shall plant it in the midst of your land. In the body of that tree is the sap of life that was from the beginning; the leaves of it are full of healing; its flowers never fail, and its fruitage is the joy of every season. The roots of the tree shall go down to the springs of deep waters; and wherever its pollen is drifted by the wind or borne by the bees, the gardens shall put on new beauty; and wherever its seed is carried by the fowls of the air, the orchards shall yield a richer harvest. But the tree itself you shall guard and cherish and keep as I give it you, neither cutting anything away from it, nor grafting anything upon it; for the life of the tree is in all the branches, and the other trees shall be glad because of it.” As the Ancient One had spoken, so it came to pass....

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Forget plot twists and chase scenes. This book is different. 'Companionable Books' is exactly what it sounds like: a collection of essays about the books that have been Van Dyke's faithful friends throughout his life. He imagines a scenario where he can only take a select few volumes to a secluded cabin. Who makes the cut? The answer is a personal tour of his literary heart.

The Story

There isn't a traditional narrative. Instead, Van Dyke acts as your guide. He walks you through his shelves, stopping to talk about why he loves certain authors. He spends time with the poetry of Wordsworth, the plays of Shakespeare, and the essays of Charles Lamb. He doesn't just summarize their work; he talks about the feeling he gets from reading them, the comfort and inspiration they provide. It's less of a critique and more of a grateful appreciation, like introducing you to his most cherished friends.

Why You Should Read It

This book slows you down. In a world of endless new releases and algorithms, Van Dyke's passion is refreshingly simple and deep. He reminds us that reading can be about companionship, not just consumption. His writing feels like a cozy chat by a fireplace. You might not agree with every author he champions, but you'll understand why he loves them. It makes you look at your own bookshelf and wonder: which of these are my true companions?

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who considers reading a joy, not a chore. If you love classic literature, or if you just need a break from fast-paced modern life, this book is a peaceful refuge. It's for the reader who sometimes just wants to sit with a wise, kind-hearted book lover and talk about what makes a story last a lifetime.

🔓 Copyright Free

This historical work is free of copyright protections. You can copy, modify, and distribute it freely.