Selling calls in London

Author: Addison
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-01
Features: From the immortal essays of British prose, this collection selects thirty-one pieces from the pens of fourteen authors spanning the 18th to 20th centuries. It vividly reflects the unique serenity and richness of the authors' sentiments, as well as the humorous yet slightly satirical tone of their contexts. The title is inspired by the title of an 18th-century essay by Addison, which humorously depicts the urban scenes and customs of the time, such as selling newspapers and pastries, and the fire brigade. The book features 19th-century representative writer Charles Lamb, whose works document his discovery of a bittersweet joy and imagination as a busy office worker. It also includes works by Virginia Woolf, who pioneered stream-of-consciousness novels while writing with a light and playful prose style, expressing her deep love and impressions of literature, becoming a gem in 20th-century British prose. This book selects renowned British essays from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. The reason for this selection is that, apart from Bacon's more philosophical short essays, British essays only developed fully after the 18th century, leaving behind a wealth of memorable works worthy of appreciation, observation, and comparison. Below, take Addison, Lamb, and Virginia Woolf as examples to illustrate the distinct characteristics of British essays in the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries.