The Romany Rye


The Romany Rye is a novel by George Borrow, written in 1857 as a sequel to Lavengro.

The novel

Largely thought to be at least partly autobiographical, The Romany Rye follows from Lavengro. The title can be translated from Romany as "Gypsy Gentleman". Mrs George Borrow wrote on 18 October 1853 to John Murray, his publisher, saying her husband had completed his work – "which he proposes to call The Romany Rye – A Sequel to Lavengro."
The story itself follows the journey of a learned young man living with Romanies. It is a philosophical adventure story of sorts.

In popular culture

A pub located in Colman Road, Norwich, was named The Romany Rye, and later The Romany Beer House before it ceased trading in November 2008. The Wetherspoons public house chain used the name Romany Rye for their pub, opened in Dereham, Norfolk, in 2011. Borrow was born in the town.