
Produced by David Widger
MY LITERARY PASSIONS
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL. - I. THE BOOKCASE AT HOME II. GOLDSMITH III. CERVANTES IV. IRVING V. FIRST FICTION AND DRAMA VI. LONGFELLOW'S "SPANISH STUDENT" VII. SCOTT VIII. LIGHTER FANCIES IX. POPE X. VARIOUS PREFERENCES XI. UNCLE TOM'S CABIN XII. OSSIAN XIII. SHAKESPEARE XIV. IK MARVEL XV. DICKENS XVI. WORDSWORTH, LOWELL, CHAUCER XVII. MACAULAY. XVIII. CRITICS AND REVIEWS. XIX. A NON-LITERARY EPISODE XX. THACKERAY XXI. "LAZARILLO DE TORMES" XXII. CURTIS, LONGFELLOW, SCHLEGEL XXIII. TENNYSON XXIV. HEINE XXV. DE QUINCEY, GOETHE, LONGFELLOW. XXVI. GEORGE ELIOT, HAWTHORNE, GOETHE, HEINE XXVII. CHARLES READE XXVIII. DANTE. XXIX. GOLDONI, MANZONI, D'AZEGLIO XXX. "PASTOR FIDO," "AMINTA," "ROMOLA," "YEAST," "PAUL FERROLL" XXXI. ERCKMANN-CHATRIAN, BJORSTJERNE BJORNSON XXXII. TOURGUENIEF, AUERBACH XXXIII. CERTAIN PREFERENCES AND EXPERIENCES XXXIV. VALDES, GALDOS, VERGA, ZOLA, TROLLOPE, HARDY XXXV. TOLSTOY - BIBLIOGRAPHICAL
MY LITERARY PASSIONS - I. THE BOOKCASE AT HOME
II. GOLDSMITH
III. CERVANTES
IV. IRVING
V. FIRST FICTION AND DRAMA
VI. LONGFELLOW'S "SPANISH STUDENT"
VII. SCOTT
In this lively collection of literary essays, the author invites listeners into the bustling world of late‑nineteenth‑century criticism, where the clash between Realism and Romanticism animated the pages of every review. Drawing from his own experiences writing in a New York flat overlooking Central Park, he weaves personal anecdotes with keen observations about the great writers and works that shaped his taste—from Cervantes and Shakespeare to Zola and Tolstoy. The pieces are both a nostalgic tour of a well‑stocked bookcase and a spirited defense of the art of fiction, offering insight into the debates that once raged in the pages of popular magazines.
Readers will appreciate the conversational tone, the occasional wry humor, and the author’s unabashed enthusiasm for the books that moved him. While rooted in the literary battles of his era, the essays remain relevant for anyone curious about how criticism evolves and how personal passion can illuminate the broader currents of literature.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (305K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
Oct 22, 2004
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1837–1920
A leading voice of American literary realism, he helped shape the way everyday life was written into fiction. Best known for novels like The Rise of Silas Lapham, he was also a powerful editor and critic who encouraged many major writers of his time.
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