Studying the Novel

Book excerpt: Now in its seventh edition, Studying the Novel is an authoritative introduction to the study of the novel at undergraduate level. Updated throughout to reflect the profound impact of e-reading and digital resources on the contemporary study of literature, the book also now includes a wider range of international examples to reflect the growing field of world literature. Providing a complete guide to studying the novel in one easy-to-read volume, the book covers: · The form of the novel · The history of the novel, from its earliest days to new electronic forms · Realism, modernism and postmodernism · Analysing fiction: narrative, character, structure, theme and dialogue · Critical approaches to studying the novel · Practical guidance on critical reading, secondary criticism, electronic resources and essay writing · Versions and adaptations Studying the Novel also includes a number of features to help readers navigate the book and find key information quickly, including chapter summaries throughout, a comprehensive glossary of terms and an historical timeline on the development of the novel, while annotated guides to further reading and discussion questions help students master the topics covered.