Synopsis
This two-volume set presents The Earthly Paradise, one of the major poetic achievements of William Morris's life. In Volume I, Morris scholar Florence S. Boos begins with general introductory material, which is followed by a discussion of the biographical and critical genesis of the poem, the poem's message and design, Victorian historicism and Morris's use of the past, the poem's reception and history of publication, and a list of drafts of early versions. The poem comprises the rest of the volume, as well as Volume II. Each volume contains several b&w reproductions of title pages, lyrics, photographs, sketches, frontispieces of other editions, manuscripts, tapestries, and paintings. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)