Description
Millions of readers throughout the world continue to enjoy Treasure Island, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, A Child's Garden of Verses, and other books by Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894). A celebrated author in many different fields of literature, Stevenson is also recognized as a highly engaging and prolific correspondent: he penned over 2,800 letters, which are contained in eight critically acclaimed volumes published by Yale University Press. In this book, 317 of Stevenson's most interesting and revealing letters represent each stage of his mature life. With a linking narrative and full annotation, Ernest Mehew sets the letters in the context of Stevenson's remarkable life.
Beginning with the days of his troubled youth in Edinburgh, Stevenson's letters go on to tell of his love for Frances Sitwell, a beautiful, older married woman; a reckless journey to California in pursuit of Fanny Osbourne, the woman who became his wife; their worldwide but vain search for a healthy place to live; and a period of adventure in the South Seas, where Stevenson wrote some of his best work and became passionately involved in Samoan life. The letters show the author's zest for living despite daunting illnesses, his struggles with his own writing, his literary tastes, and his affection for his friends. Stevenson writes in many moods, ranging from playful and witty to deeply serious. Better than any biography ever could, these letters in Stevenson's own words tell the real story of his life.
This title was listed among the Best Nonfiction of 1998 by the "Los Angeles Times" Book Review.
About the Author
Ernest Mehew, widely recognized as the leading authority on Stevenson's life and work, is a retired English civil servant. He worked on the complete eight-volume edition of Stevenson's letters for more than twenty-five years.
Reviews
"Mehew's linking narrative and footnotes are a joy to read." J.D.F. Jones, Financial Times "A literary landmark which will give pleasure to generations of readers." Claire Harman, Independent on Sunday "The most enthralling, and most reliable, account of Stevenson's life that has ever been available in a single volume. The letters are intensely alive, rich and comical... Whichever of Stevenson's books readers like best, they will find something absorbing about it here. Mehew has made his selection adroitly, as well as with formidable expertise." Jeremy Treglown, Los Angeles Times Book Review "The book is quite splendid and a marvelous read." The Expository Times
Book Information
ISBN 9780300091243
Author Robert Louis Stevenson
Format Paperback
Page Count 640
Imprint Yale University Press
Publisher Yale University Press
Weight(grams) 476g
Beginning with the days of his troubled youth in Edinburgh, Stevenson's letters go on to tell of his love for Frances Sitwell, a beautiful, older married woman; a reckless journey to California in pursuit of Fanny Osbourne, the woman who became his wife; their worldwide but vain search for a healthy place to live; and a period of adventure in the South Seas, where Stevenson wrote some of his best work and became passionately involved in Samoan life. The letters show the author's zest for living despite daunting illnesses, his struggles with his own writing, his literary tastes, and his affection for his friends. Stevenson writes in many moods, ranging from playful and witty to deeply serious. Better than any biography ever could, these letters in Stevenson's own words tell the real story of his life.
This title was listed among the Best Nonfiction of 1998 by the "Los Angeles Times" Book Review.
About the Author
Ernest Mehew, widely recognized as the leading authority on Stevenson's life and work, is a retired English civil servant. He worked on the complete eight-volume edition of Stevenson's letters for more than twenty-five years.
Reviews
"Mehew's linking narrative and footnotes are a joy to read." J.D.F. Jones, Financial Times "A literary landmark which will give pleasure to generations of readers." Claire Harman, Independent on Sunday "The most enthralling, and most reliable, account of Stevenson's life that has ever been available in a single volume. The letters are intensely alive, rich and comical... Whichever of Stevenson's books readers like best, they will find something absorbing about it here. Mehew has made his selection adroitly, as well as with formidable expertise." Jeremy Treglown, Los Angeles Times Book Review "The book is quite splendid and a marvelous read." The Expository Times
Book Information
ISBN 9780300091243
Author Robert Louis Stevenson
Format Paperback
Page Count 640
Imprint Yale University Press
Publisher Yale University Press
Weight(grams) 476g
