In this book, first published in 1943, Janko Lavrin provides an overview of the development of the Russian novel by placing the great Russian novelists – Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Turgenev, Gorky, Gogol – in relation to their native literature and their social, political and cultural backgrounds. An Introduction to the Russian Novel will appeal particularly to students of Russian literature and culture as well as those interested in the development of the novel in general.

This book, first published in 1950, could best be described as a combination of literary, psychological and social criticism. Considerable space is allotted to the personal inner drama of Ibsen, which provides not only a clue to his art but shows how most of his themes inevitably grew out of the other. The author also explores some of those factors which make Ibsen of interest to the generation that were facing the social and spiritual havoc of the post-war period. This book will be of int...

This volume contains two concise works by the innovative twentieth-century literary critic Janko Lavrin, offering accessible and thoughtful introductions to the two greatest Russian novelists. It provides a perfect point of access into the often bewildering world of Russian literature, and the troubled geniuses which created it.Tolstoy: An Approach, first published in 1944, is an attempt to interpret Tolstoy as an artist and thinker in light of the twentieth-century experience: spe...

The renowned British novelist's "casual and wittily acute guidance" on reading—and writing—great fiction ( Harper's Magazine).Renowned for such classics as A Room with a View, Howards End, and A Passage to India, E. M. Forster was one of Britain's—and the world's—most distinguished fiction writers, a frequent nominee for the Nobel Prize in Literature. In this collection of lectures delivered at Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1927...

Nietzsche left no systematic exposition of his philosophy, and so it remains the subject of intense scholarly dispute and interpretation. Because of Nietzsche's evocative style and often outrageous claims, his philosophy generates strong reactions of passionate love and disgust. The Philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche by Henry Louis Mencken was the first, and many believe the best book on the subject. Mencken was known for his attention to detail. This book is a must read for anyone who wish...

"Varied Types" is a captivating collection of essays that showcases G.K. Chesterton's distinctive literary style, characterized by wit, keen observation, and a flair for paradox. Written during the early 20th century, this work explores a plethora of subjects, from notable figures such as Charles Dickens and William Blake to broader themes like spirituality and culture. Chesterton's prose is imbued with a rich, humorous cadence, reflecting his deep appreciation for the absurdities and comp...

The essential collection of critical essays from a twentieth-century master and author of 1984.As a critic, George Orwell cast a wide net. Equally at home discussing Charles Dickens and Charlie Chaplin, he moved back and forth across the porous borders between essay and journalism, high art and low.A frequent commentator on literature, language, film, and drama throughout his career, Orwell turned increasingly to the critical essay in the 1940s, wh...

"The day will come when not only my writings, but precisely my life--the intriguing secret of all the machinery--will be studied and studied." Søren Kierkegaard's remarkable combination of genius and peculiarity made this a fair if arrogant prediction. But Kierkegaard's life has been notoriously hard to study, so complex was the web of fact and fiction in his work. Joakim Garff's biography of Kierkegaard is thus a landmark achievement. A seamless blend of history, philosophy, and psycholog...

This is an electronic edition of the complete book complemented by author biography. This book features a table of contents linked to every chapter. The book was designed for optimal navigation on the iPad, Nook, PDA, Smartphone, and other electronic readers. It is formatted to display on all electronic devices including eReaders, Smartphones and other Mobile Devices with a small display.