The Luck of Roaring Camp and Other Writings (Penguin Classics)

Edited by the leading Bret Harte scholar and biographer, the Penguin edition of Harte's writings includes the famous Overland Monthly stories ("The Luck of Roaring Camp" etc) as well as a briefly representative selection of Harte's poems, essays, later fiction, and his delightful "Condensed Novels." Scharnhorst's authoritative introduction includes biographical information gleaned from the editor's extensive primary research and offers informed readings of the stories. Any fan of 19th century fiction who has not read Harte's "Condensed Novels" is in for a treat. It's too bad this edition only had room for 3 of these parodies in which Harte mimicked the style of other popular authors. (I wish "Miss Mix," the Jane Eyre parody, were included.) The Scharnhorst-Penguin edition includes Harte's parodies of Cooper's Leatherstocking Tales, Dickens' A Christmas Carol, and Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes mysteries. The notes, while brief and unobtrusive, include curiosities that only Scharnhorst could tell us, like the fact that Conan Doyle contributed to a fund to support Harte's family after the author's death. Harte's Overland stories are widely available. This edition of his work also provides a rare glimpse into genres of the author's work that are less well known and equally delightful, selected by the scholar who knows Harte better than anyone else.

I have the original printing of this collection (from the late 19th century) and I'm pleased to have found it in a form that I can read and pass on to friends without worry. The editing is true to the original and the format is easier to read than old copies. These stories are colorful, engaging, and hold a trueness of spirit that provides a vivid account of life in the gold-rush west. A great read for anyone looking for a closer feeling / understanding of young California. Harte's writing is from a different era so expect some moments where language or social views are antiquated/rougher in comparison to today's.

an excellent book with a tremendous message. i would recommend the book for anyone who needs illustrations about how life works.

very well written with surprises

His stories are tragicomedies, not very relaxing to read. He must have been a major pessimist. Writing style and all is great, no doubt he's famous but at the end one is left melancholic and unfulfilled, disappointed with the outcome. Everybody dies sort of thing novels. Anyone who likes these must be suffering from a mental disorder and be on meds.

it's a well-used book, but perfectly readable.