The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson: The black arrow. Prince Otto

This volume is part of the comprehensive library editions of Robert Louis Stevenson's works, compiled and published in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to preserve his diverse literary contributions. 'The Black Arrow,' originally serialized in 1883 under the pseudonym Captain George North, was written at the behest of editor W.E. Henley to appeal to younger readers through a historical adventure set during the Wars of the Roses. It reflects Stevenson's attempt to master the 'tales of derring-do' that were popular in the Victorian era.

'Prince Otto,' first published in 1885, stands in stylistic contrast as a sophisticated, light-hearted romance set in the fictional German principality of Grünewald. Stevenson considered it his most difficult work to complete, as he sought to move away from his established reputation as an adventure novelist toward a more nuanced, psychological study of character. While contemporary critics found the juxtaposition of his adventure tales and romantic satires to be a fascinating study of his versatility, these collected editions were primarily designed to ensure his evolving legacy remained accessible to the serious scholarly collector.