When should one read an introduction to a novel?

I'd agree with Jeff Miller that a critical introduction can often be safely
ignored, unless of course it happens to have been written by a scholar who
subscribes to this list, or when the author of the introduction is of equal
or even greater interest to the reader than the work it introduces. For
example, who would ignore Eliot's intro to HF?

Twain's "notice" to HF is a good example of an "introduction" written by an
author introducing his own work, and who would ignore such a prelude?

Finally, there are the several introductions that Twain wrote to other
authors' writings (no novels come to mind). I've read all of those, but have
to admit I've not read all of the books they introduce. I think the funniest
example of a Twain introduction to another author's book is the letter Twain
wrote to Will Clemens declining to write an introduction for one of Will
Clemens' books. Will Clemens simply printed Twain's letter as the
introduction to his book.

Kevin
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