| Kings and Queens of Crime Essays on major Crime Writers Alanna Knight on Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894) A legend in his own lifetime, famed for the world, wide success of The Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Treasure Island , news of Stevenson's early death in Samoa ( not from consumption but from a cerebral hemorrhage induced by overwork) had everyone of slight acquaintance, or none at all, rushing into print. Articles in newspapers and literary magazines evolved into dusty theses by worthy Eng. Lit. students regarding the significance of his lesser known works. More than a century later, the Stevenson cult continues. Hardly a year passes without the publication of yet another acclaimed biography. In paradise, Stevenson must smile. He entertained no exalted ideas about his writing dismissing Treasure Island as 'tushery' 'No need for psychology or fine writing. it 's awful fun, boys' stories; ' you just indulge the pleasure of your heart no trouble, no strain - just drive along as the words come and the pen will scratch.' A frail sick man all his life, he wrote out of hunger and the need to survive " | |
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