Reviewing before the Edinburgh 1788-1802

A study of English literary reviewing before the Edinburgh Review, assessing the achievements of five important Reviews of the 1790s and discussing their work in poetry, fiction, and political and religious controversy. It fills a gap in literary and political history and provides a better perspective on reviewers and reviewed in a period of political controversy and literary experiment.

Format: Hardback
Length: 315 pages
Publication date: 01 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

First published in 1978, Reviewing before the Edinburgh Review is a comprehensive study of English literary reviewing during the fifteen years preceding the establishment of the Edinburgh Review in 1802. It also assesses the achievements of the reviewers in this period. The book's lengthy introductory chapter provides an in-depth exploration of the aims, methodologies, staffing, readership, influence, and development of five significant Reviews of the 1790s: the Monthly Review, Critical Review, English Review, Analytical Review, and British Critic. The author argues that the decline of this type of Review during the 19th century was not due to poor performance but rather the impossibility of achieving the ambitious goal of comprehensive reviewing.

The remaining chapters delve into the critical evaluation of the work produced by these Reviews, focusing primarily on poetry, fiction, and political and religious controversy. This book serves as a valuable contribution to the literary and political history of the period, offering a concise summary of review criticism and providing a more nuanced perspective on both reviewers and reviewed during years characterized by political controversy and literary experimentation. It will be of interest to students of literature and history.

Weight: 740g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032576008