424 Results with the "Fiction" genre
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In an epistolary tribute to Alexander Pope, the anonymous author delves into the fraught legacy of Pope's work, navigating through the criticism and admiration that have followed Pope beyond his lifetime. The author posits Pope's poetry as a garden of artistic endeavor, meticulously cultivated but relentlessly besieged by commentators and biographers akin to destructive forces. These critics, armed with their own interpretations and biases, seek to dismantle Pope's character and contributions, often…-
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LETTER–To W. M. Thackeray
In this letter to W. M. Thackeray, the author navigates the nuances of praising the works of a departed novelist, where the usual constraints of criticism—such as envy or the potential for flattery—are absent, making it easier to commend wholeheartedly. Thackeray is celebrated for his versatility and unmatched excellence in literature, noted for his unique blend of humor, pathos, and keen observation of life. Unlike contemporaries who approached writing with the methodical dedication of a desk job,…-
43.4 K • Ongoing
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LETTER–To Charles Dickens
The letter to Charles Dickens delves into the unique literary divide between those who favor Dickens and his contemporary, Thackeray, arguing instead for appreciation of both authors' works. The narrator identifies himself as impartial, enjoying the merits of both writers without taking sides. Despite this neutrality, the chapter critiques the extreme imitations and mannerisms of Dickens's "special devotees," who, despite their adoration, might misunderstand the breadth of his humor and the depth of his…-
43.4 K • Ongoing
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LETTER–To Lucian of Samosata
In a letter to Lucian of Samosata, the author muses over Lucian's current abode in a paradisiacal setting, surrounded by beauty, laughter, and notable companions like Heine, Plato, and others who share Lucian’s wit and clarity of vision. This imaginative paradise serves as a backdrop for expressing deep appreciation for Lucian's enduring satire and wisdom, painting him as the master of mirth and contentment. The author, in a tone blending admiration with wistfulness, wonders about the joy that Lucian’s…-
43.4 K • Ongoing
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LETTER–To Jane Austen
In a letter to Jane Austen, the author expresses admiration and critiques on behalf of the contemporary audience. He acknowledges Austen's high artistry in literature but notes her diminishing popularity among modern readers who find her style outdated and her characters too restrained. The author suggests Austen's works lack the sensationalism and dramatic passion that current tastes favor, evident in characters from other popular novels of the time. Despite the critique, he intimately discusses the…-
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LETTER–To Master Isaak Walton
In a heartfelt letter addressed to Master Isaak Walton, the author fondly recalls the joy and solace found in Walton's "The Compleat Angler," amidst the challenges and evolutions of angling and landscape that have occurred since Walton's time. The author delineates how urban expansion and pollution have encroached upon the once idyllic angling spots near London, rendering the pursuit of trout—a symbol of tranquility and contentment—increasingly difficult for the common angler. This transformation…-
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LETTER–To M. Chapelain
To preserve us from all false travelling knights and from lying bookmen that tell tales of lands that never were. And so I commend me to you, and to your ghostly and bodily welfare. And ever pray for me, as I shall for you, to the God of Seynt Albones, to have you in his keeping, whether in Englond or beyond the sea, or in the lands that never were. And ever more, Sir John, clepe upon Seynt George, and he shall help you, as he hath meny a good knight out of peril and disease. And I, at my coming back…-
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LETTER–To Alexandre Dumas
In this letter to Alexandre Dumas, the author celebrates Dumas's vast and golden literary legacy, likening it to a solid foundation more enduring than rock. Dumas, despite a moment of late-life doubt where he envisioned his works as impermanent as structures on sand, is reassured of his everlasting impact on literature, akin to the immortal stories from the "Arabian Nights" or tales of Boccaccio. Esteemed for introducing a "greater and more kindly" influence in modern literature, Dumas's creativity,…-
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LETTER–To Theocritus
In this reflective letter to Theocritus, the author begins by hearkening to the sweetness of Theocritus's own verse, capturing the essence of his poetry which dances fluidly between the joyous and the melancholy shades of life. The author ponders whether, in death, Theocritus found a realm as enriching as the Sicilian landscape that fueled his inspiration. Contemplating the existence of an afterlife sweeter than the most vivid dreams of poets, the author imagines an Elysium under alien stars where…-
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LETTER–To Edgar Allan Poe
In his letter to Edgar Allan Poe, the author addresses the enduring and perplexing animosity towards Poe's legacy, particularly from his contemporaries and certain elements within the American literary critique. Despite being celebrated as one of the greatest literary figures in America, Poe is uniquely disparaged in his homeland, partly due to his critical role in the literary world. The author reflects on the unfortunate circumstances that led Poe to become a reviewer, arguing that such a position for a…-
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