R L Stevenson on Fiction

It is not so much that this collection brings together some of Stevenson's most alluring essays. What is more to the point is that Norquay has acted upon the need to consolidate these insights into the practice of fiction. More to the point still, it is Norquay's alertness to the complexities of Stevenson's discursive writing that situates this edition high and above what it might otherwise have been, a mere compilation ! Additionally, Norquay's editorial management, with its unrelenting attention to detail and studious clarity, benefits this edition tremendously The format of this book is particularly effective. Each essay is preceded by a short preface giving details of production, publication and reception. Likewise, the essays have been annotated with exceptional thoroughness. Given that they are intensely 'idiosyncratic and at times obscure to the modern reader', this edition provides a solid referential background where it is usually lacking. The volume does valuable service by bringing together essays that have until now been available only in various editions of Stevenson's collected works. Norquay's well-written intorduction to Stevenson's essay-writing is one of the book's attractions. It is not so much that this collection brings together some of Stevenson's most alluring essays. What is more to the point is that Norquay has acted upon the need to consolidate these insights into the practice of fiction. More to the point still, it is Norquay's alertness to the complexities of Stevenson's discursive writing that situates this edition high and above what it might otherwise have been, a mere compilation ! Additionally, Norquay's editorial management, with its unrelenting attention to detail and studious clarity, benefits this edition tremendously The format of this book is particularly effective. Each essay is preceded by a short preface giving details of production, publication and reception. Likewise, the essays have been annotated with exceptional thoroughness. Given that they are intensely 'idiosyncratic and at times obscure to the modern reader', this edition provides a solid referential background where it is usually lacking. The volume does valuable service by bringing together essays that have until now been available only in various editions of Stevenson's collected works. Norquay's well-written intorduction to Stevenson's essay-writing is one of the book's attractions.