When the first edition of David Madden's A Primer of the Novel: For
Readers and Writers was published more than twenty-five years ago, there
were no other books of its kind available. Since then, many authors and
editors have produced works that attempt the same comprehensive coverage
of the genre. However, these works tend to be either written solely for
writers or solely for readers. More often than not, those written for
readers tend to be aimed at advanced students or critics of the novel.
In this revised edition, David Madden, Charles Bane and Sean Flory have
produced an updated work that is intended for a general readership
including writers, teachers, and students who are just being introduced
to the genre. This unique handbook provides a definition and history of
the novel, a description of early narratives, and a discussion of
critical approaches to this literary form. A Primer of the Novel also
identifies terms, definitions, commentary, and examples in the form of
quotations for almost 50 types of novels and 15 artistic techniques. A
chronology of narrative in general and of the novel in particular-from
850 B. C. to the present-is also included, along with indexes to
authors, titles, novel types and techniques, as well as a selective
bibliography of criticism. Although all novel types present in the first
edition are still represented, many have become more clearly defined.
This revised edition also cites several types of novels that did not
appear in the first edition, such as the graphic novel and the novel of
Magical Realism. As well as keeping all of the original examples from
representative texts, the authors have added new examples of more recent
works. While this book was conceived for a general audience, it will be
a valuable resource for students, teachers, and libraries. It may be
used in any English literature courses at any level, including graduate,
and is suited for creative writing courses as well. With its clear and
immediately accessible features, this handbo
