On books and arts

"On Books and Arts" by Sir Frederick Wedmore is a collection of critical writings from the late 1800s, featuring essays that offer his perspectives on literature and art, particularly from his era, after originally being written for reviews and writings in general. The collection starts off by emphasizing the art of storytelling, especially emphasizing the short story format, while questioning previously held assumptions about its structure; he goes on to compare the short story to larger novels, arguing that it is unfairly judged despite the artistic outlet it provides writers. Further into the essays, Wedmore investigates storytelling itself, pushing the reader to consider the short story's complexity and individuality, all while studying past literature and current literary trends, additionally, the essays also reflect on the impact of authors such as Balzac, George Eliot, and their contributions to the world of art as well as literature.