"Iconoclasts: A Book of Dramatists" by James Huneker is a seminal anthology that celebrates the work of innovative playwrights who dared to challenge conventional theatrical norms. As a collection of critical essays and analyses, Huneker's book explores the groundbreaking contributions of various dramatists who pushed the boundaries of traditional storytelling and theatrical expression. Spanning different time periods and cultural backgrounds, the anthology features a diverse range of playwrights, from Henrik Ibsen to George Bernard Shaw, August Strindberg to Maurice Maeterlinck. Each chapter offers insightful commentary on the thematic richness, stylistic experimentation, and socio-political significance of the featured playwright's works. Huneker's keen literary analysis and profound appreciation for theatrical innovation shine through in his discussions of these iconoclastic figures. He examines how they challenged societal norms, explored taboo subjects, and pioneered new forms of dramatic expression, ultimately leaving an indelible mark on the theatrical landscape. "Iconoclasts: A Book of Dramatists" serves as both a tribute to these visionary playwrights and a testament to the transformative power of theater. Through Huneker's expertly crafted prose, readers are invited to explore the dynamic intersection of art, culture, and rebellion in the world of drama.
James Gibbons Huneker was an American art, literary, music, and theatrical reviewer. A colorful individual and an ambitious writer, he was "an American with a great mission," in the words of his friend, the critic Benjamin De Casseres, and that mission was to educate Americans about the best cultural achievements, native and European, of his day. From 1892 to 1899, he was the husband of sculptor Clio Hinton. Huneker was born in Philadelphia. His parents forced him to study law, but he realized that a legal career was not for him; he was enthusiastic about music and writing, and hoped to one day be a concert pianist and novelist. Huneker and his wife and child returned to Philadelphia the next year, but he was never content in his hometown and longed for the larger stage of New York, where he wanted to try his luck as a journalist while continuing his musical studies. He relocated to New York City in 1886, abandoning his wife and child. He scraped by providing piano lessons and lived a downtown bohemian lifestyle while studying with Franz Liszt's student Rafael Joseffy, who became a friend and mentor. (Huneker's musical gods were Liszt, Chopin, and Brahms. In 1900, he released a biography of Chopin and wrote a commentary on Chopin's complete works for Schirmer's Music Publishing Company.
