This comprehensive study presents a compelling case for recognizing Byron's work as the quintessential epic poem of the nineteenth century. With insightful analysis, it aims to reshape scholarly and student perspectives on Romanticism, encouraging new interpretations and discussions surrounding the text. The book promises to be a significant contribution to the understanding of Byron's masterpiece, highlighting its importance within the literary canon.
Exploring the life and works of George Meredith, this book delves into his unique literary style and the concept of "alteregoism," where the author’s persona influences his narratives. It examines Meredith's contributions to poetry and prose, highlighting his innovative use of character and voice. The analysis also situates him within the broader context of Victorian literature, discussing his relationships with contemporary writers and the impact of his ideas on future generations. Through a detailed exploration, readers gain insight into Meredith's complex identity and artistic legacy.
Reading Victorian Poetry “Richard Cronin’s exceptionally fine book carries out just what its title promises – reading. The pleasure of his adroit, meticulously imaginative insights into verbal and metrical effects is constant ... One of the best general readings of Victorian poetry in the last ten years.” Victorian Studies “Reading Victorian Poetry will make an excellent introduction to Victorian poetry and gives a good account of a number of key issues.” English Studies Reading Victorian Poetry offers close readings of poems from the Victorian era, carefully selected by the author to reflect the breadth and diversity of nineteenth-century poetry. Richard Cronin’s outstanding consideration of a wide range of poets reflects the unusual diversity of Victorian poetry, which includes, amongst others, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Christina Rossetti, D.G. Rossetti, and Gerard Manley Hopkins. The book investigates key concerns of the era in which poetry was ousted by the novel from the culturally central position that it had enjoyed for centuries. The result is an important and exciting contribution to the understanding of nineteenth-century poetry, and a crucial resource for anyone interested in Victorian literature.