The Critical Response to H.G. Wells - (Critical Responses in Arts and Letters) by William J Scheick (Hardcover)

About the Book

H. G. Wells was one of the most influential authors of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is best remembered today as the author of classic works of science fiction, such as The Invisible Man, The War of the Worlds, and The First Men in the Moon. He was also the author of The Outline of World History, an ambitious chronicle of the world from antiquity to the beginning of the 20th century. Through essays and reviews, this volume traces the critical reception of his works.

An introductory essay overviews Wells's literary career and provides a context for understanding his works. Each of the sections that follow treats one of his major works, according to the publication date of his story. Within each section are reviews, essays, or excerpts that exemplify the critical response to that particular work from the time of its appearance to the present day. A bibliography at the end of the volume lists the most important modern critical studies of Wells and indicates the tremendous contemporary interest in Wells as an author.

Book Synopsis

H. G. Wells was one of the most influential authors of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is best remembered today as the author of classic works of science fiction, such as The Invisible Man, The War of the Worlds, and The First Men in the Moon. He was also the author of The Outline of World History, an ambitious chronicle of the world from antiquity to the beginning of the 20th century. Through essays and reviews, this volume traces the critical reception of his works.

An introductory essay overviews Wells's literary career and provides a context for understanding his works. Each of the sections that follow treats one of his major works, according to the publication date of his story. Within each section are reviews, essays, or excerpts that exemplify the critical response to that particular work from the time of its appearance to the present day. A bibliography at the end of the volume lists the most important modern critical studies of Wells and indicates the tremendous contemporary interest in Wells as an author.

Review Quotes

?Reprints of difficult-to-find sources are generally valuable, and Scheick's work is no exception. The book is most useful for gauging Well's entire career. Scheick's careful introduction and critical essay provide balanced overviews for assessing both Well's place in his literary milieu and his reputation in general. Recommended for lower-division undergraduates and up.?-Choice

"Reprints of difficult-to-find sources are generally valuable, and Scheick's work is no exception. The book is most useful for gauging Well's entire career. Scheick's careful introduction and critical essay provide balanced overviews for assessing both Well's place in his literary milieu and his reputation in general. Recommended for lower-division undergraduates and up."-Choice

About the Author

WILLIAM J. SCHEICK is J.R. Millikan Centennial Professor of English and American Literature at the University of Texas at Austin. He was formerly the editor of Texas Studies in Language and Literature and has served on a number of editorial boards. He has published some 15 books and more than 150 articles.