Masterpieces of the masters of fiction

An essayistic survey in which the author revisits roughly forty canonical prose works, choosing one representative story from each and reading them in rapid succession to form a comparative perspective. He explains selection criteria—excluding living authors and verse fiction—arranges entries chronologically, and gives concise critical sketches that summarize plots, note thematic features and stylistic qualities, and weigh merits and faults. Prefatory remarks outline the method and purpose, while each chapter offers a compact appreciation intended to show how time affects initial impressions.