The Picshuas of H. G. Wells: A Burlesque Diary

One of the most prolific and enduring turn-of-the century authors, Wells's work included not only science fiction, but biology textbooks, novels and short stories of everyday life, essays on politics, as well as rich autobiographical writings. In this meticulously researched book, the Rinkels give readers a sense of the richness and depth of Wells's life and work through a close reading of dozens of his ""picshuas""-line drawings he made throughout his life for family and friends. These drawings, along with an idiosyncratic blend of cockney and baby-talk, were the primary means of communication between Wells and his second wife, Amy Catherine Robbins, for the thirty-three years they were married. Robbins was a central force in Wells's life, not just as wife and mother, but as an editor, literary agent and collaborator. The Rinkels do an admirable job making sense of what are essentially private jokes between the old friends, and guiding readers through their complicated and often melancholy relationship. This work should be of prime interest to Wells's fans; those unfamiliar with Wells, or who only know his work through movie adaptations, will likely lose interest in the detail-by-detail analysis.