Fleissner (Central State University) considers why authors name characters in the way that they do, with attention to biographical, historical, and philosophical influences. Covering the Early
Modern Period in England, the 19th century in England and America, and the 20th century in England, America, and Austria, the book comprises eight essays on the names in Shakespeare’s plays,
two chapters on Dickens’ use of names in Edwin Drood , and others on Tess of the d’Urbervilles , Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde , Sherlock Holmes, Poe’s work, Leaves of Grass , T.S. Eliot’s poetry,
Sinclair Lewis’ Zenith , the work of Burns and Frost, Nancy Drew, A Catcher in the Rye , Native Son , and the work of Kafka. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
