Odd Leaves from the Life of a Louisiana Swamp Doctor

Using dialect, comic imagery, folklore, picaresque autobiography, and the form of the mock oral tale, Lewis (1825-1850) follows the outlandish misadventures of his literary persona. In an expansive new introduction, Edwin T. Arnold (English, Appalachian State University) places Lewis's writing in the context of the times, discussing its role in the development of southwestern humor as a genre. Many of the stories were first published in New York's Spirit of the Times . Paper edition (unseen), $12.95. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.