Preface Books – serie

An authoritative guide to the life and works of Hopkins, for those who require a good introduction from which to explore the author's works more fully.

Rewritten, to take account of the Pope studies and criticism published since the first edition appeared in 1976. Errors have been corrected, and sections revised and expanded where the author's views have changed. Part Two now contains introductory essays to a number of Pope's major poems.

The first edition, by the late Edward Malins, of this informative guide to the life and works of one of the most important and difficult poets of the 20th century, has now been extensively revised by John Purkis. It begins by providing biographical details on Yeats, with particular emphasis on his education, his appearance and his characteristics. It then places the poet in his cultural background, discussing the history of Ireland and major ideas which influenced his poetry. This is followed by an updated critical section which includes careful close readings of ten of his poems. The book concludes with an extensive reference section containing information about his many friends and their influence on and connection with particular poems.

This text sets out the contemporary theories and practices of comedy together with broader theories of comedy and the major themes they contain. An analysis of the major Shakespearan comedies and factual information about the contemporary scene is included here.

A Preface to Oscar Wilde provides a detailed study of the cultural, personal and political influences that shaped Wilde's writing. The study concentrates primarily on his fiction, critical dialogues and plays that were published between 1890 and 1895, and detailed accounts of Wilde's lesser known works such as his poetry, journalism and letters are also presented. The first section places his work in a variety of cultural contexts: Wilde's family life and his Irish inheritance are examined, the impact of his sexuality on his writing and reputation is considered, and a description is provided of how Wilde became a legendary figure in the arts. Major innovations and successes, such as The Picture of Dorian Gray, Salome and The Importance of Being Earnest are related to avant garde movements of their day such as aestheticism, decadence, and symbolism. Reference sections provide supporting material such as a Wilde chronology, a glossary of terms and a bibliography for further study.Anne Varty sets out in this study to bring to life the work of Wilde, and to make his writing accessible to readers who are unfamiliar with his achievements. In so doing, she confronts the ethical drive of his work, and demonstrates the coherent evolution of his work from the aestheticism of the early poetry, through the sophisticated handling of theatre, to the dark self-scrutiny of autobiography.The comprehensive and accessible approach makes this a useful reference work to all who are studying Oscar Wilde, both at A Level and undergraduate level. The content will also appeal to the general reader who is seeking to gain a greater understanding and appreciation of Wilde's work.

This critical study of Pound's work is intended for those needing guidance through the difficulties of his work and is designed to enable the reader to reach a greater understanding and enjoyment of it.

This text follows a chronological account of Jonathan Swift's life. It focuses on "Gulliver's Travels", but also discusses other works including early satires, political writings, poems and letters. Detailed chronological charts place Swift's life and works in political and cultural context.

This study provides an authoritative overview of all Marlowe's work. The result is a reading of Marlowe that re-opens debates about his status as a radical figure and as a subversive playwright.

Probably the most famous of the Metaphysical poets, John Donne worked with and influenced many of the leading poets of the age. This excellent introduction to his life and works sets his writing firmly in the context of his times.

A study of four of Shakespeare's major tragedies - Hamlet, Othello, King Lear and Macbeth - this Preface at these plays in a variety of contexts, both in isolation and in relation to each other. Michael Mangan also explores the cultural, ideological, social and political contexts in which they were written.

John Hammond offers an introduction to the life and work of H G Wells which is of interest and value to both the student and the general reader.  Although Wells is studied at undergradute level there is no introductory text available as yet, instead students can only consult full length detailed biographies.   John Hammond provides a concise overview allowing the student to read  Wells with greater critical appreciation and to undertand the main areas of discussion and disagreement concerning the author.

Preface Books are a series of scholarly and critical studies of major writers intended for those needing modern and authoritative guidance of their work, in order to reach intelligent understanding and enjoyment of it. This work focuses on James Joyce.

In this excellent introduction to one of the best known authors in English Literature, Christopher Gillie outlines Jane Austen's life and literary background and examines their effect on her work.

A highly readable and illustrated introduction to the work of Milton, which provides both a biographical account of the poet and his influences, and a critical survey of his poetry.

Preface Books are a series of scholarly and critical studies of major writers intended for those needing modern and authoritative guidance of their work, in order to reach intelligent understanding and enjoyment of it. This work focuses on William Wordsworth.

Clear, vivid and convincing, Gamini Salgado's introduction to the life and works of D H Lawrence, sets the writer firmly in the context of his times

Preface Books are a series of scholarly and critical studies of major writers intended for those needing modern and authoritative guidance of their work, in order to reach intelligent understanding and enjoyment of it. This work focuses on T.S. Eliot.

Widely recommended, this guide to Conrad offers a vivid and incisive account of his life and literary career, and gives detailed attention to the contexts, themes, problems and paradoxes of his works.

'Pleasurable, fearless, perceptive, provocative...the attention to scholarly detail is admirable...The material is not only entertainingly presented but also extraordinarily wide-ranging...Incisive critical accounts...A valuable reference resource' Neil Sinyard in the Graham Greene Newsletter This is the most comprehensive and consise guide to Graham Greene's life and works.

A Preface to Hardy remains the best introduction to one of the most important and popular writers in English literature.

The first edition, by the late Edward Malins, of this informative guide to the life and works of one of the most important and difficult poets of the 20th century, has now been extensively revised by John Purkis. It begins by providing biographical details on Yeats, with particular emphasis on his education, his appearance and his characteristics. It then places the poet in his cultural background, discussing the history of Ireland and major ideas which influenced his poetry. This is followed by an updated critical section which includes careful close readings of ten of his poems. The book concludes with an extensive reference section containing information about his many friends and their influence on and connection with particular poems.

Lively, informed and thorough, this survey of the life and works of Graham Greene opens with a biographical account setting the writer in context of his times and describing and exploring the influences, tensions and contradictions that occur throughout his work. The second half of the book devotes itself to the 'art of Greene' discussing his writing techniques, recurring themes, and imaginative preoccupations. Within this section thorough critical analyses are given of three works: Brighton Rock, The Power and the Glory, and the film, The Third Man. The book concludes with a reference section which comprises a gazeteer, a biographical list and a bibliography. Suggestions for further reading and a list of films encourage the student to explore the works of Greene more widely.

This is an informative and interesting guide to the comedies of love - The Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Taming of the Shrew, Love's Labour's Lost, A Midsummer Nights Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, As You Like it and Twelfth Night - which were written in the early part of Shakespeare's career. As well as supplying dramatic and critical analysis, this study sets the plays within their wider social and artistic context.Michael Mangan begins by considering the social function of laughter, the use of humour in drama for handling social tensions in Elizabethan and Jacobean society and the resulting expectations the audience would have had about comedy in the theatre. In the second section he discusses the individual plays in the light of recent critical and theoretical research. The useful reference section at the end gives the reader a short bibliographic guide to key historical figures relevant to a study of Shakespeare's comedies and a detailed critical bibliography.

Probably the most famous of the Romantic poets, William Wordsworth worked with and influenced many of the leading poets of the age. This excellent introduction to his life and works sets his writing firmly in the context of his times. John Purkis provides an outline of Wordsworth's life and cultural background and their effect on his work, and examines his verse, from the earliest school poems to the final years.

'Longman Preface books are intended to give "modern and authoritative guidance" on the lives and works of the major writers ... Gamini Salgado's A Preface to Lawrence does just that.' Times Educational SupplementD. H. Lawrence, criticised, censored and dismissed in his lifetime, now stands as one of the major imaginative novelists of the early twentieth-century.Clear, vivid and convincing, Gamini Salgado's introduction to the life and works of D H Lawrence, sets the writer firmly in the context of his times and:* outlines his life and intellectual background, and their effect on his writing* looks in detail at many of Lawrence's works, including Sons and Lovers, The Rainbow, his shorter fiction, poetry and plays* examines Lawrence as a literary critic* covers important people and places in Lawrence's life and their effect on himGamini Salgado was formerly Professor of English at Exeter University. His works include a book on Sons and Lovers (Arnold), an anthology of critisism of it (Macmillan) and a number of studies of drama and prose literature.

A Preface to Oscar Wilde provides a detailed study of the cultural, personal and political influences that shaped Wilde's writing. The study concentrates primarily on his fiction, critical dialogues and plays that were published between 1890 and 1895, and detailed accounts of Wilde's lesser known works such as his poetry, journalism and letters are also presented. The first section places his work in a variety of cultural contexts: Wilde's family life and his Irish inheritance are examined, the impact of his sexuality on his writing and reputation is considered, and a description is provided of how Wilde became a legendary figure in the arts. Major innovations and successes, such as The Picture of Dorian Gray, Salome and The Importance of Being Earnest are related to avant garde movements of their day such as aestheticism, decadence, and symbolism. Reference sections provide supporting material such as a Wilde chronology, a glossary of terms and a bibliography for further study.Anne Varty sets out in this study to bring to life the work of Wilde, and to make his writing accessible to readers who are unfamiliar with his achievements. In so doing, she confronts the ethical drive of his work, and demonstrates the coherent evolution of his work from the aestheticism of the early poetry, through the sophisticated handling of theatre, to the dark self-scrutiny of autobiography.The comprehensive and accessible approach makes this a useful reference work to all who are studying Oscar Wilde, both at A Level and undergraduate level. The content will also appeal to the general reader who is seeking to gain a greater understanding and appreciation of Wilde's work.

This study provides an authoritative overview of all Marlowe's work. It includes thorough investigations of his major plays, Tamburlaine, Edward II, The Jew of Malta and Doctor Faustus as well as a full discussion of The Massacre at Paris, Dido Queen of Carthage and all his extant poetry. Analysis of Faustus takes full account of both A and B text versions. Thoroughly researched and yet presented in an accessible, engaging style, A Preface to Marlowe reads Marlowe's life and times, as well as his work, in the light of current critical theory. Consequently, it is a vital guide for all students of early modern drama. As well as providing sharp analysis of stage history, Dr Simkin reflects on the wider significance of a stage-oriented approach. The result is a reading of Marlowe that re-opens debates about his status as a radical figure and as a subversive playwright and invites the reader to experience the plays as immediate, exciting, 'live' documents.

This book is a study of four of Shakespeare's major tragedies - "Hamlet", "Othello", "King Lear" and "Macbeth". It looks at these plays in a variety of contexts - both in isolation and in relation to each other and to the cultural, ideological, social and political contexts which produced them.