Mark Twain : Critical Assessments

This set of volumes is part of the "Critical Assessments of Writers in English" series, the aim of which is to provide complete collections of previously published, formative critical assessments covering the whole work of individual writers.

They should be useful to serious readers of literature, researchers and advanced students. Many of the pieces included were originally published in journals or books which are now out of print or very difficult to obtain.

Each set has an authoritative introductory survey, as well as a full bibliography and biographical details. This four-volume collection offers the student of Twain a wide range of critical writing on his life and work. The first volume contains three biographies by William Dean Howells, Albert Bigelow Paine and by his daughter, Clara Clemens.

Volume two contains contemporary reviews and responses to Twain's work, arranged chronologically by title and concludes with a large section of assessments by approximately forty other creative writers. Volume three presents critical essays on all Twain's essential works, grouped chronologically by title.

Prominence is given to major works such as "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn". Volume four offers a 20th-century overview of Twain, covering central themes such as: the frontier and the west; Mark Twain's humour; the South, slavery and race; Mark Twain and sexuality; and Mark Twain and language.

It concludes with a number of general essays.