History and Adventures of an Atom

TOBIAS SMOLLETT (1721–1771) was a novelist, playwright, journalist, historian, travel writer, critic, translator, editor, and compiler—an eighteenth-century man of letters in the fullest sense of the phrase. ROBERT ADAMS DAY was a Joyce scholar and expert on eighteenth-century English literature. He was a former professor in the doctoral program in comparative literature at the Graduate School of the City University of New York, where he had taught since 1970. He was previously associated with the English departments at Dartmouth College and Queens College.

At last a definitive, scholarly edition, the first to appear since 1926, of Smollett's most puzzling and controversial work. It is a satire in the tradition of Rabelais and Swift, particularly in respect to its scatological images. This carefully prepared edition, with all of the appropriate textual apparatus, includes extensive historical and literary references and an accurate key, in alphabetical order, to personages and places that are presented in the text as Japanese names and based on a collation of existing keys. In the introduction, Day presents general information about the political structure of England during Smollett's time; a most useful review of the major events of the Seven Years' War; a summary of some of Smollett's political opinions; helpful information concerning the work's sources, literary influences, publication, and reception; and incontrovertible proof for Smollett's authorship. A chronology of dates and events relevant to Atom in relation to Smollett's life; superb illustrations (much imagery is in reference to political cartoons of the day); excellent index. Highly recommended.