Familiar Studies of Men and Books

In 'Familiar Studies of Men and Books', Robert Louis Stevenson offers a compelling collection of literary and critical essays that showcase his insightful and engaging writing style. This volume, which he describes as "the readings of a literary vagrant," brings to life a range of literary figures such as Victor Hugo, Charles of Orleans, Robert Burns, and Walt Whitman, addressing their works from the standpoint of an engaged reader rather than a scholarly critic. Stevenson combines moral and aesthetic assessments of these writers, often creating novelistic characterizations that bring them to life. This collection offers a fascinating glimpse into the mind of one of the greatest writers of the 19th century, and will appeal to anyone interested in literature and criticism.