This collection gathers five seminal works of Elizabethan prose fiction to illustrate the evolution of narrative form during the late sixteenth century. Each included text presents a distinct approach to storytelling, ranging from courtly romance to picaresque adventure. The protagonists navigate complex social hierarchies, moral dilemmas, and the shifting linguistic conventions of the period. Paul Salzman provides modernized versions of these texts, removing archaic orthography to allow contemporary readers to engage directly with the structural and thematic concerns of the original authors.

Readers and scholars frequently highlight this anthology as a primary resource for accessing the foundations of English prose fiction. Discussion often centers on the stylistic variety present in the collection, contrasting the ornate, didactic prose of Lyly with the more kinetic, episodic nature of Nashe's work. Critics appreciate the editorial decision to modernize the texts, noting that it significantly lowers the barrier to entry for students and general readers interested in the period. The selection is widely regarded as a representative cross-section of the diverse narrative experiments occurring in Elizabethan England. Many users find the inclusion of both courtly and middle-class perspectives essential for understanding the breadth of the era's literary output.