S.S. Prawer's "Marx and World Literature" is a hidden gem for those with an interest in Marx as a historical figure. Marx was extremely well-read, not just in what we would now call 'non-fiction', but also in high literature of many nations and languages. Prawer's book traces what Marx read and was inspired by at each point in his career, and analyzes the many references to literary works and the literary allusions Marx makes throughout his theoretical pamphlets and books, as well as those in his letters.

Prawer has written a book that is extremely in-depth and thorough without being boring at any point, which is commendable indeed. He misses no reference, quote or allusion, even though Marx clearly delighted in making all sorts of 'high culture' comparisons which only the very well-read could appreciate. Prawer's analysis of the relation between the world literature and Marx' own views and their development is top-notch, as is the discussion of the role of art and literature in Marxist critical theory.

It's a shame this book is rare to find, as it is of great value to Marx scholars and cultural historians alike. ( )