John Freeman Frederick 1880 (1 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Good. "The Moderns : Essays in Literary Criticism" by John Freeman was published in 1917 by Thomas Y. Crowell in hardcover format. The book is now OP. The essays cover the following authors : George Bernard Shaw, H. G. Wells, Thomas Hardy, Maurice Maeterlinck, Henry James, Joseph Conrad, Coventry Patmore, Francis Thompson, and Robert Bridges. John Frederick Freeman was an Edwardian English poet and literary critic whose life was all too short. It seems to me that Freeman, recipient of the Hawthornden Prize for poetry, has much to offer for a serious reader. Had he lived past his 49th year, he may well have entered the literary pantheon, joining the very authors (contemporary with his time) upon whom he chose to write. As it is he seems mostly forgotten by the tide of literary memory. Freeman was friends with Walter De La Mare, who championed Freeman's talent. Had he lived longer and produced more, he likely would not be so obscure. What is interesting to me about these essays, is that they were written about authors who were still currently producing works - they were contemporary with Freeman; hence the title. They were the modern writers of that time and their books were fresh and new, their careers, some of them, still evolving. I find Freeman's choice of authors to be prescient as regards their literary value. I find it interesting that Freeman focuses on Wells' social planning and prophesies for the coming times. I also find it interesting that - aside from "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" and "Jude the Obscure" Freeman treats Thomas Hardy as the major poet he was. This is in agreement with Hardy himself, who felt he was, foremost, a poet; the modern world (mostly) treats him only as a novelist. I won't say further about this book , except to say that it is a very meaty book, full of critical opinions, and satisfying to boot. TITLE : The Moderns - Essays in Literary Criticism AUTHOR : John Freeman (John Frederick Freeman , 1880 - 1929) IMPRINT : Thomas Y. Crowell PLACE : New York DATE : !917 EDITION : First American Edition (with title cancel) STATUS : OP - Crowell is no longer in business, and the book is not listed on any other publisher's website. PHYSICAL DETAILS : Trade Hardcover; title page is a cancel; 341 pages; 5" x 7 3/8"; cloth-covered boards and spine; gilt lettering stamped on spine and front cover. CONDITION -- GOOD PLUS -- This is a previously owned book that remains clean and serviceable, with the following particulars noted : The book is signed in ink by the original owner (A.P. Noble . which is possibly Alonzo Pellet Noble 1865 - 1928 - buried in Chemung County, N. Y. - not far from where the book was found.) EXTERIOR - Spine extremities compressed, and also displaying modest amount of fraying; spine surface is somewhat faded, also displaying moderate surface rub; gilt lettering on spine darkened; gilt lettering on front board still bright; front board has mild surface rub; rear board has a bit of transparent damp staining (this of no great effect); rear board also has a bit of minute spotting - else the cover is clean. Text-block edges display a bit of weathering, else clean. BINDING - Hinges are slightly cracked (exposed thread and mull), but the whole remains fairly solid. No leaves are detached or loose. INTERIOR - Binding thread has caused some discoloration; the book remains partially unopened - a few leaves have been separated without due care, creating a jagged fore-edge (I've shown pictures of a couple of page spreads depicting this - see if you can enlarge them to see the edges more clearly) . As stated above , the title page is a cancel (a reprinted title page replacing one that has been excised - which would likely be the original London title page). There are likely scattered small smudges and/or spots - but none are easily evident. Other than the original owner's signature, the interior has no marking, no underlining no marginalia, and no writing.