The editor has corrected some errors which escaped Meredith's attention and has provided exceptionally useful notes on the novel. "Backgrounds" includes Meredith's "Essay on Comedy and the Uses of the Comic Spirit." "The Critical Essays" are by Robert D. Mayo, Richard B. Hudson, Jenni Calder, Gillian Beer, John Goode, Charles J. Hill, Michael Sundell, Virginia Woolf, John Lucas, and Robert M. Adams. A Bibliography is also included.

The Victorian writer George Meredith completed Modern Love, his most famous poem, in the months following his wife's death in 1861. The series of 16-line sonnets (a stanzaic form Meredith invented) depicts isolated scenes in an unhappy marriage as both partners take lovers. At the time, Meredith's long poem was savaged by critics both for its style and for its "diseased" content. In this century, however, it has received increasingly favorable attention as an extraordinarily powerful exploration of the realities of Victorian marriage. Along with the text itself and an informative introduction, the editor provides a wide range of background materials to help set the work in its historical and literary context.

With a modest upbringing and an ordinary profession, Shibli considers himself to be an average Persian man. But when he discovers that he is the chosen one to free the nation from the vicious rule of their tyrant, Shagpat, Shibli is quickly thrown into the world of the extraordinary. Tasked with a quest to shave Shagpat's magical hair, which allows the leader to rule unquestioned, Shibli, a barber, knows he has what it takes to complete the mission. Still, he needs help. Teaming up with an enchantress named Noorna, Shibli first must retrieve the magic sword to cut the tyrant's hair. As his journey continues, Shibli meets a series of exotic characters, such as talking animals and genies. With magic on his side, Shibli must overcome the obstacles and defeat the Shagpat to fulfill his destiny and free the country. Written to mimic Arabian folklore, The Shaving of Shagpat by George Meredith is whimsical, but smart. Combing poetry and prose, The Shaving of Shagpat is composed with beautiful language and wild imagery. With quests, magic, and epic battles, this fantasy excites and captures the imagination of its audience, while prompting contemplation. Featuring strong allegorical elements, The Shaving of Shagpat reflects the volatile political state of George Meredith's time, yet is still applicable to modern politics and society. First published in 1856, The Shaving of Shagpat earned critical acclaim and was praised for its innovation. Now, over one-hundred and fifty years later, this George Meredith fantasy continues to delight audiences, fascinating with its imaginative and humorous narrative while capturing minds with its clever wit and allegory. This edition of The Shaving of Shagpat by George Meredith features an eye-catching new cover design and is presented in a font that is both modern and readable. With these accommodations, this edition is accessible and appealing to contemporary audiences, restoring this historical fantasy to modern standards while preserving the original mastery of George Meredith's work.

When Mel Harrington, a lowly tailor with the manners of a nobleman, passes away, he leaves a considerable amount of debt. Though his three daughters all married into rich families, they cut contact with their father long before his death, due to his social status as a common tradesman. Valuing their status and the perks it privileges them with, the daughters want the same for their brother, Evan. To achieve this, they set him up with a beautiful and rich woman named Rose. Though they were paired together for financial reasons at first, Rose and Evan share an intimate bond. However, when Evan learns of his father's debts, he cannot let them go unsettled. Worried for his mother and his father's legacy, Evan moves to London to learn his father's trade, despite the social repercussions. While Evan works hard to restore honor to his father's name, his sisters try to convince him otherwise, concerned that he would lose Rose's love. Struggling to manage his father's legacy while protecting his social status, Evan must determine his own priority, whether it be love, power, or legacy. Written by the Nobel Prize nominated author, George Meredith, Evan Harrington is comedic romance that exposes the shallow ideals of Victorian high society. Loosely autobiographical, Evan Harrington portrays vivid and complex characters while granting readers an intimate view on the hierarchy of Victorian society. With themes of class, marriage, family, and love, Evan Harrington is a sentimental narrative that captures the heart of its audience even over a century after its original publication. This edition of Evan Harrington by George Meredith features an eye-catching new cover design and is presented in a font that is both modern and readable. With these accommodations, this edition is accessible and appealing to contemporary audiences, restoring this sentimental Victorian romance to modern standards while preserving the original mastery of George Meredith's work.

After his father drove his mother to insanity, Harry Richmond spent the early years of his childhood under his maternal grandfather's care. As one of the richest men in England, Harry's grandfather, Squire Beltham, provides an extravagant life for the young boy, but when Roy, Harry's father, shows up and demands custody, no one can deny him of the right. After leaving the care of his grandfather, Harry came of age in a London boarding school, making friends and going on adventures. After a particularly wild trip causes Harry to cross paths with a princess, Harry and his father become dedicated to the idea of marriage. Though his grandfather offers him a generous yearly allowance to marry a woman of his choosing, Harry is more inclined to marry the princess, as his father promises he can convince the princess to accept the proposal. This disagreement, paired with past transgressions, strains Roy and the squire's relationship greatly, sowing discord and distrust. As his conflicting father figures each attempt to accomplish their goal for Harry, the young man must navigate his own feelings and overcome the tragedy that their feud welcomes. With exquisite description and emotive prose, The Adventures of Harry Richmond by George Meredith is a sentimental and picaresque romance. With strong elements of autobiography and drama, The Adventures of Harry Richmond is compelling from start to finish, entertaining with a strong narrative and fascinating with quality character development. Though first published in 1871, Meredith's storytelling is unconventional and continues to capture the minds and hearts of its audience. This edition of The Adventures of Harry Richmond by George Meredith features an eye-catching new cover design and is presented in a font that is both modern and readable. With these accommodations, this edition is accessible and appealing to contemporary audiences, restoring this Victorian romantic drama to modern standards while preserving the original mastery of George Meredith's work.

After being injured during war, young naval officer Nevil Beauchamp is ordered to recover in Venice. With high ideals and big dreams, Nevil quickly falls in love with an energetic and intelligent young French woman named Renee de Croisnel. Though Nevil dreams of marrying Renee, eloping and living a happy life with each other, Renee reject his advances. Instead, she marries a rich, elderly man. Heartbroken, Nevil returns to the navy with a new perspective. After befriending a freethinking doctor, Nevil becomes influenced by new political beliefs. This soon alienates him from his wealthy uncle, Everard, who is very conservative. While his new political ideologies create a rift between he and his peers, Nevil decides to make political pursuits. But, after a surprise reunion with Renee, Nevil is burdened with romantic issues. Though Renee has now changed her mind, and wishes to marry Nevil and divorce his husband, Nevil has since become transfixed on another woman, leaving him with a difficult choice to make. George Meredith prizes Beauchamp's Career as his favorite and most impressive work. With complex themes and dynamic characters, this political romance portrays the culture of upper-class political circles while satirizing the conservative party. Originally published in 1875, Beauchamp's career provides a fascinating perspective on Victorian politics, demonstrating their influence on the every-day influence of those involved. Featuring love triangles, family feuds, and changing minds, the smart and powerful prose of Beauchamp's Career continues to demand attention of modern audiences and rewards readers with a stunning and unique narrative. This edition of Beauchamp's Career by George Meredith features an eye-catching new cover design and is presented in a font that is both modern and readable. With these accommodations, this edition is accessible and appealing to contemporary audiences, restoring this clever and romantic political narrative to modern standards while preserving the original mastery and genius of George Meredith's work.