During Shakespeare's lifetime, John Lyly was repeatedly described as the central figure in contemporary English literature. This book takes that claim seriously, asking how and why Lyly was considered the most important writer of his time.

Kesson traces Lyly's work in prose fiction and the theatre, demonstrating previously unrecognised connections between these two forms of entertainment. The final chapter examines how his importance to early modern authorship came to be forgotten in the late seventeenth century and thereafter.

This book serves as an introduction to Lyly and early modern literature for students, but its argument for the central importance of Lyly himself and 1580s literary culture makes it a significant contribution to current scholarly debate. Its investigation of the relationship between performance and print means that it will be of interest to those who care about, watch or work in early modern performance.

About the Author
Andy Kesson is a Senior Lecturer in Renaissance Literature at the University of Roehampton

Reviews

Andy Kesson shows that Lyly's work requires serious attention, reshaping our idea of the early modern period. Kesson challenges notions of Shakespeare's preeminence and establishes Lyly as absolutely key to many of our current critical concerns. This is a book that is lucid, learned, and above all enthusiastic about its subject.'

Emma Smith, Fellow in English at Hertford College, Oxford

Kesson does a terrific job of exposing centuries of unwarranted condescension towards Lyly and of attuning us both to his sense of humour and his and Cawood's innovative marketing of prose fiction.

-- .


Awards
Short-listed for Shortlisted for the Globe Book Award 2016 (UK).



Book Information
ISBN 9780719088247
Author Andy Kesson
Format Hardback
Page Count 256
Imprint Manchester University Press
Publisher Manchester University Press
Weight(grams) 476g
Dimensions(mm) 216mm * 138mm * 19mm