Robert Louis Stevenson: A Literary Life (Literary Lives)

More than most writers, Robert Louis Stevenson requires a Literary Life . Fascination with Stevenson's life (the 'Stevenson biography' is almost a minor genre) has tended to eclipse his literary achievement. This study focuses on Stevenson's writing practice within the different geographical, cultural and political contexts that shaped it, from Scotland to the South Seas. Following Stevenson's own views on biography, the book is not structured primarily in terms of chronology, but is more a kind of literary geography than traditional literary history. More Than Most Writers, Robert Louis Stevenson Requires A Literary Life. Serious Critical Attention To Stevenson's Literary Works Has Been Relatively Slow To Appear, Though The 'life Of Stevenson' Continues To Flourish, Having Become Almost A Minor Genre In Its Own Right. The Version Of Stevenson's Literary Life Presented Here Reflects Stevenson's Own Reservations About The Role Of Linear Chronology In Biography, And Is More Of A Literary Geography Than A Literary History. Its Structure Is Defined By The Various Geographical And Cultural Contexts (scotland, France, England, America And The South Seas) In Which Stevenson Lived And Worked. This Is The First Literary Biography Of Stevenson Since The Publication Of His Collected Letters, It Has Also Made Use Of Previously Unpublished Letters.--jacket. The English Scene -- The French Connection -- Forever Scotland -- America -- In The South Seas. William Gray. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 183-186) And Index. More than most writers, Robert Louis Stevenson requires a Literary Life. As Henry James commented on reading Balfour's Life: 'Louis ... has superseded, personally, his books, and this last replacement of himself ... has killed the literary baggage.' Serious critical attention to Stevenson's literary works has been relatively slow to appear, though the 'Life of Stevenson' continues to flourish, having become almost a minor genre in its own right. The version of Stevenson's literary life presented here embraces Stevenson's own reservations about the role of linear chronology in biography, and is more of a literary geography than a literary history. Its structure is defined by the various geographical and cultural contexts (Scotland, France, England, America and the South Seas) in which Stevenson lived and worked. This is the first literary biography of Stevenson since the publication of his Collected Letters, and makes use of previously unpublished letters Front Matter....Pages i-xvi The English Scene....Pages 1-22 The French Connection....Pages 23-48 Forever Scotland....Pages 49-75 America....Pages 76-109 In the South Seas....Pages 110-161 Conclusion....Pages 162-170 Back Matter....Pages 171-190