[Gutenberg 53839] • Tragic Romances / Re-issue of the Shorter Stories of Fiona Macleod; Rearranged, with Additional Tales

The famed Scottish author, poet and editor William Sharp (1855-1905) wrote a great deal of lauded work, including -- from 1893 until his death -- under the pseudonym Fiona Macleod, which was a well-guarded secret during his lifetime.

The life of William Sharp divides itself naturally into two halves. The first ends with the publication by W. S. of Vistas, and the second begins with Pharais, the first book signed "Fiona Macleod."

When the secret of the identity of Fiona Macleod—so loyally guarded by a number of friends for twelve years—was finally made known, much speculation arose as to the nature of the dual element that had found expression in the collective work of William Sharp. Many suggestions, wide of the mark, were advanced; among others, that the writer had assumed the pseudonym as a joke, and having assumed it found himself constrained to continue its use. A few of the critics understood. Prof. Patrick Geddes realized that the discussion was productive of further misunderstanding, and wrote: “Should you not explain that F. M. was not simply W. S., but that W. S. in his deepest moods became F. M., a sort of dual personality in short, not a mere nom-de-guerre?”

This special edition volume includes seven of Sharp's works collected as "Tragic Romances," followed by a detailed biography penned by his wife, Elizabeth. These works have been painstakingly transcribed, edited and translated by Jacq W. Smith.

The extraordinary writing found in Tragic Romances speaks for itself. The equally fascinating memoir/biography of William Sharp, a sketch of his life, demonstrates the growth and development in his work of the dual literary expression of himself as Sharp and Fiona Macleod.