Stephen Crane (1871–1900) was a controversial figure in American literature and journalism. In a literary career that lasted a mere decade he produced short stories, novellas, novels and poetry for which he was both lauded and reviled. With The Red Badge of Courage he entered the American canon. Despite Crane's lack of experience of war at the time of the novel's composition, it is a classic of realist war fiction. This book presents a representative selection of the reviews of Stephen Crane's books, beginning with the publication of his first novel, Maggie: A Girl of the Streets (1893), through the posthumously published last novel, The O'Ruddy (1903). Many of the reviews will be new to Crane scholars. The volume offers readers an insight into how Crane's reputation was formed and how it changed during his lifetime, ending with the shifts in emphasis upon his early death.

"Monteiro’s hard work shows in Stephen Crane: The Contemporary Reviews, which reprints numerous reviews of Crane’s books from Maggie (1893) to The O’Ruddy (1903). Each chapter also lists additional reviews not reprinted in this collection. Noting that Crane’s contemporary recognition was a transatlantic phenomenon, Monteiro includes many reviews from Great Britain as well as the United States. This collection gives readers an excellent overview of Crane’s critical reception, which will prove useful for decades to come."
-Kevin J. Hayes, University of Central Oklahoma

"this book is indispensable for understanding Crane's reception amid a clamorous, historically significant, and, dare I say, highly entertaining literary climate."
-Robert M. Dowling,Central Connecticut State University

"It will certainly prove valuable to Crane Specialists, but it offers equal value to those who will come to it from other specialties and perspectives."
-Benjamin F. Fisher, University of Mississippi