A History of Criticism and Literary Taste in Europe

A History of Criticism and Literary Taste in Europe traces the development of literary criticism from classical antiquity through the late 19th century. This three-volume work examines critical theory and practice across multiple cultures and time periods. Saintsbury presents detailed analyses of major critics and schools of thought, from Greek and Roman writers through Medieval, Renaissance, and modern European traditions. The text includes examinations of both well-known figures like Aristotle and lesser-studied critics whose work influenced literary discourse. Each volume contains primary source material and commentary on the evolution of critical approaches to literature. The progression moves from classical foundations through the emergence of national literary traditions and the rise of modern criticism. The work stands as an exploration of how societies across Europe have approached, evaluated, and understood literature over time. Through this historical lens, it reveals the shifting relationship between critics, texts, and readers across centuries of literary discussion.

Readers note this is a dense, scholarly work that requires careful study rather than casual reading. The comprehensive scope and detailed analysis of European literary criticism receives frequent mention in academic forums and dissertations. What readers liked: - Thorough documentation and historical research - Coverage of lesser-known critics and movements - Clear organization by time period and region - Extensive quotations from primary sources What readers disliked: - Complex, Victorian-era writing style - Assumes knowledge of Greek, Latin, French - Limited coverage of non-Western perspectives - Some passages in untranslated languages Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (12 ratings) WorldCat: No ratings available Google Books: No ratings available Reader quote from Goodreads: "Invaluable reference work but requires serious commitment. Not for beginners in literary criticism." Note: This book has limited online reviews due to its age and academic nature. Most discussion appears in scholarly citations rather than consumer reviews.

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🔖 The three-volume work, published between 1900-1904, is considered one of the most comprehensive surveys of Western literary criticism ever written, spanning from ancient Greece to the 19th century. 📚 George Saintsbury wrote this masterwork without any research assistants and relied largely on his own vast knowledge and personal library, which contained over 20,000 volumes. ✍️ Despite being over a century old, the book remains a standard reference work in universities and is particularly noted for its coverage of lesser-known medieval critics and commentators. 🎓 Saintsbury coined several literary terms still in use today, including "purple patch" (a passage of overly ornate writing) and "prosaic" in its modern sense of dull or unimaginative. 📖 The author completed this monumental work while simultaneously serving as Professor of Rhetoric and English Literature at the University of Edinburgh, where he was known for giving lectures entirely from memory.