British Romantic novelists, 1789-1832 /

Romantic novelists have traditionally labored in the shadows cast by the more heavily read and studied Romantic poets. This work attempts to correct this oversight by reviewing the contributions of 33 novelists of the period, some very well known (Jane Austen) and some obscure (Mary Meeke). Entries vary in length from five pages for some of the minor novelists to more than 30 for the major novelists. Most entries offer a list of the author's works, a critical bibliography, a bio-critical essay, the location of the author's papers, and a portrait of the writer. The heart of the work consists of the usually excellent essays that discuss the author's life, works, and contribution to the novel. Generally upholding the high standards of this long-running series, this work overlaps somewhat with the DLB entry (v. 107) British Romantic Prose Writers, 1789-1832 (1991). Overall, a fine entry in an excellent series. R. B. Meeker; Chicago State University