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The Search for Good Sense: Four Eighteenth-Century Characters: Johnson, Chesterfield, Boswell and Goldsmith
Best known for his guide on writing and recognizing good prose, Style (1955), F.L. Lucas addresses four of the most popular 18th-century English poets and writers in this Samuel Johnson, Lord Chesterfield, James Boswell and Oliver Goldsmith. Knowledgeably, conversationally, and often amusing, he sketches the images of men who greatly influenced 18th century England and its literary landscape.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published November 19, 2015
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September 16, 2016
Many decades ago, I had read a book by F. L. Lucas entitled Style. I remember loving it. So one day as I was scanning the literature shelves of the Los Angeles Cenral Library, I found The Search for Good Sense: Four Eighteenth-Century Characters: Johnson, Chesterfield, Boswell and Goldsmith and picked it up. It didn't take very long for me to be completely enthralled.
Most Americans do not give a rap for the writers of the 18th century -- ancient history! But two of the writers covered -- Johnson and Boswell -- meant a great deal to me. In relatively few pages, he gave a superb portrait of both the biographer and his famous subject, with numerous quoes. (Unfortunately, many of these were in untranslated French, but I struggled through them.)
The sketches of Lord Chesterfield and Oliver Goldsmith were also excellent. No sooner did I return this book to the library than I ordered a copy for myself. Anything that good belongs on my shelf!
Most Americans do not give a rap for the writers of the 18th century -- ancient history! But two of the writers covered -- Johnson and Boswell -- meant a great deal to me. In relatively few pages, he gave a superb portrait of both the biographer and his famous subject, with numerous quoes. (Unfortunately, many of these were in untranslated French, but I struggled through them.)
The sketches of Lord Chesterfield and Oliver Goldsmith were also excellent. No sooner did I return this book to the library than I ordered a copy for myself. Anything that good belongs on my shelf!
Displaying 1 of 1 review