This was a very expensive book: it is going to cost me a fortune because it has resulted in me adding over 50 books to my wish list and I will probably have to buy an I-pad as well to read all the great stuff that is on line and in the public domain. It is described as "a comprehensive account of English Renaissance literature in the culture that shaped it" and it is just that.

An inspired introduction by Arthur F Kinney which makes use of Hans Holbein's picture "The Ambassadors" to point out the challenges and uncertainties of the sixteenth century. It is a strange painting because at first glance you see a couple of refined courtiers standing somewhat complacently leaning against a sideboard. The picture is filled with the accomplishments of the two men and the age that they represent, but then you notice an extraordinary anamorphic representation of a death's head that slashes diagonally across the foreground of the picture; looking at the painting head on it is a blur it is only when you shift your position sideways that the death's head becomes clear. Then you notice that all is not well with some of the accoutrements depicted and you begin to realise that there is no room for complacency in a century that saw Europe riven by religious upheavals and the beginning of the scramble to open up the colonies in a world that seemed to be expanding.

There follow 14 other chapters by different authors that combine well to give an exciting portrayal of the literary world. There are chapters on poetry and patronage, Lyric forms, narratives, romances and epics, religious writing and the burgeoning drama scene that was to culminate in Shakespeare right at the end of the century. There are also chapters on popular culture, chronicles of private life, authorship and Tudor aesthetics. All the chapters were of interest, they were all written clearly and concisely and the only criticism I would make is that some of them try to cover too much ground in the space allotted to them; for example the chapter on the evolution of Tudor satire feels like a breathless gallop through as many texts as possible without drawing any conclusions. I would say that three of the essays did not quite match the high standards of the other eleven.

The companion is concerned with spelling out what is available to read and as far as possible placing the texts within the context of its genre and the events of the century. There is very little attempt at literary criticism and so I came away with the impression that I had better read as much as possible and form my own judgements. I was happy with this approach.

The companion gives a good overall guide to the literary scene in sixteenth century England and the year by year chronology of events and published texts at the start of the book is enough to generate many hours of reading. Also at the end of each chapter there are notes and a suggested book list for further reading. You would not be picking up this book if you did not have an interest in it's subject, but for people who are interested and want to know more about it then this is an excellent introduction. A four star read. ( )