The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner

New Edition

James Hogg
Edited by Ian Duncan

Oxford World's Classics

One of the supreme masterpieces of Romantic fiction and Scottish literature, The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner is a terrifying account of murder and amorality, and one man's descent into madness and despair.
The authoritative and lively introduction covers the full range of historical and religious themes and contexts and a fuller and more accurate consideration of the novel's relation to Romantic fiction than can be found elsewhere, as well as original discussion of the novel's treatment of fanaticism.
The notes identify the full range of the novel's historical, biblical, theological, topographical and literary allusions, and are both concise and fuller than in any other competing edition at this level.
Complete and up-to-date bibliography includes recent developments in Hogg scholarship.
Full glossary.
Introduction by Ian Duncan.
Updated and expanded Select Bibliography.
Revised Note on the Text,Chronology, and Glossary.
Entirely new and much fuller Explanatory Notes.
Reset text of the novel, checked against 1824 copy text and correcting previous errors.

The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner

New Edition

James Hogg
Edited by Ian Duncan

Description

One of the supreme masterpieces of Romantic fiction and Scottish literature, The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner is a terrifying tale of murder and amorality, and of one man's descent into madness and despair. James Hogg's sardonic novel follows a young man who, falling under the spell of a mysterious stranger who bears an uncanny likeness to himself, embarks on a career as a serial murderer. The memoirs are presented by a narrator whose attempts to explain the story only succeed in intensifying its more baffling and bizarre aspects. Is the young man the victim of a psychotic delusion, or has he been tempted by the devil to wage war against God's enemies? The authoritative and lively introduction by Ian Duncan covers the full range of historical and religious themes and contexts, offers a richer and more accurate consideration of the novel's relation to Romantic fiction than found elsewhere, and sheds new light on the novel's treatment of fanaticism. Copious notes identify the novel's historical, biblical, theological, and literary allusions.

About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.