Books in the Critical Issues series

No other major author of the nineteenth century has arguably produced as much critical activity as Thomas Hardy. This timely addition to the Critical Issues series explores the various philosophical views of critics, with close textual analysis of Hardy's novels and with reference to his poetry.

The writings of Charlotte Bronte - a member of one of the great literary families - have inspired, fascinated and moved readers ever since their first publication in the mid-nineteenth century.

This book offers a one-volume study of Jane Austen that is both a sophisticated critical introduction and a valuable contribution to the study of one of the most popular and enduring British novelists. Darryl Jones provides students with a coherent overview of Austen's work and an idea of the current state of critical debate.

Covering all of George Eliot's novels, this book offers a challenging re-assessment of the writer's contribution to the critical debates of her own period and of our time.

Graham Allen provides both an introduction to and review of the critical responses to Mary Shelley's major fictions, from the Romantic period to the present day, while also pushing debates forward.

Joseph Conrad is one of the great figures in the tradition of the English Novel. This book provides a critically-informed introduction to Conrad and his work, placing him in his political, social and literary context. It examines his relationship to Modernism, England and Empire and covers the range of his fiction from early novels to key texts

This work examines the full spectrum of Dickens's writing, including his journalism, work as an editor of periodicals, sketches and stories, placing his work in its contemporary context as well as reassessing it in the light of late modern/postmodern rereadings.

In so doing, he offers a new understanding of Keats's exploration of poetry, gender and desire, and provides an extended analysis of Keats's quest for poetic fame in the face of the often conflicting forces of love and sexuality. Clear, concise and insightful, this is an essential guide to one of the best-known Romantic poets.

Covering a wide range of the poetry, John Williams discusses the critical issues that have dominated discussions of Wordsworth's work, from the end of the 18th century up to 2002.