The Short Story: The Reality of Artifice (Genres in Context)
By a well-known critic of the genre, a general survey of the history and properties of the short story from its genesis in the mist-shrouded early history of literature to its alive-and-kicking state today. This book deserves a place in any public library literature collection because good critical guides to the short story are few and far between, and this one is excellent. Chapter one, appropriately entitled "Overview," reaches back to Boccaccio and Cervantes to find the short story's roots, then succeeding chapters focus on the nineteenth century, when the short story in what we recognize as its modern form began, and move on to the twentieth century, during which it has grown into maturity as a literary form with full integrity. Along the way, May not only discusses important writers but identifies important trends and movements. An appended list of recommended titles wraps up May's edifying presentation.Brad Hooper--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.