Stephen Siddall – författare

Critical introductions to a range of literary topics and genres. Shakespeare's reputation since his death has been so spectacular that we can be misled into thinking of him as a genius working in inspired solitude. But theatre is practical, collaborative and commercial, and plays emerge from the historical, cultural and social influences of their birth. Shakespeare on Stage provides invaluable information on the theatre of Shakespeare's lifetime, but it also explores a wider context.

Critical introductions to a range of literary topics and genres. Landscape and Literature introduces students to the exploration of different ways in which landscape has been represented in literature. It focuses on key aspects of this topic such as the importance of pastoral, contrasts between city and country, eighteenth-century developments from neo-classical to picturesque and Romantic ideas of the sublime, regional novels of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and varied styles of twentieth-century poetry from the Georgian poets to Heaney and Hughes. Poems and prose extracts from writers such as Marvell, Wordsworth, George Eliot, Hardy, Lawrence and Seamus Heaney are included.

Critical introductions to a range of literary topics and genres. The modern short story has suffered critical neglect in Britain. This book is something of an attempt to redress the situation. It focuses on short stories written in English mainly in Britain and America and is in three sections: short stories in the 19th century; modernism and short stories; and contemporary and post-modern short stories.

Critical introductions to a range of literary topics and genres. This book encompasses experiences of the British Empire such as life in Nigeria before the arrival of the British, through to the British retreat from the Empire after the Second World War and on to reggae and 'dub' beats of black British poetry today. Includes writing from Indian, African, South African and Caribbean authors such as Salman Rushdie, Chinua Achebe, J.M. Coetzee and Derek Walcott.

Critical introductions to a range of literary topics and genres. The gothic influence on modern writers such as Angela Carter, Iain Banks and Stephen King is vivid and great as is the effect on the world of film and rock music. Part of the function of this book is to offer some guidance: not in terms of a fixed or definitive set of Gothic characteristics, but rather in giving a framework for questions and explorations.

Critical introductions to a range of literary topics and genres. The purpose of satire is to expose human hypocrisy, vice and folly, and because these aspects of human behaviour are not particular to any one historical period, satires can be understood by readers at any moment in time. This book explores the social and political circumstances to deepen that understanding. Text extracts are included from Jonathan Swift, Alexander Pope, Lord Byron, E.E. Cummings and Evelyn Waugh.

Critical introductions to a range of literary topics and genres. The emotional power and intellectual challenge of metaphysical poetry are such that it still appeals to modern readers. This book looks at the many ways in which readers at different times have read metaphysical poetry, suggesting approaches for readers today.