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Review
`These essays are as fresh and as readable as ever.' --The Independent, David Evans
Book Description
A collection of David Lodge's articles from the Independent on Sunday and the Washington Post
Inside This Book
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
"The Art of Fiction" is divided into 50 chapters, each devoted to a different aspect or theme in fiction (in this case primarily novel-writing). Some of these themes are standard topics: 'Beginning', 'Point of View', 'Introducing a Character', 'Chapters' and 'Ending' for example. Others are more unusual: including 'Suspense', 'Symbolism', 'Epiphany', 'The Telephone' as well as more technical-sounding topics such as 'Aporia' and 'Intertextuality'. Through these themes Lodge explores the construction of the novel and underlines the sheer variety of approaches taken by different writers over the course of time.
Each chapter is drawn from an article in Lodge's own newspaper column, which means that the subject matter is easily accessible and digestible for the casual reader. Lodge's style is easy to read and follow and he occasionally intersperses his analysis with his own anecdotes. This is 'a book to browse in, and dip into', as Lodge himself explains, which assumes very little prior knowledge of the texts concerned. Indeed his subjects are very diverse, ranging from Henry Fielding in the 18th century, and Victorian writers such as Brontė and Dickens, all the way to 20th-century authors including, among many others, George Orwell and Kazuo Ishiguro. However, it is not necessary to have read all - or even any - of these texts, as Lodge begins each chapter with a relevant passage quoted in full to illustrate his point.
The goal of "The Art of Fiction" is to enhance the reader's understanding of modern literature, and not explicitly to teach lessons in composition to aspiring authors. Nevertheless, for any writer it is always instructive to dissect those works which have gone before, and this book would therefore be of tremendous use.
Everything considered, "The Art of Fiction" is a worthy addition to the bookshelf of anyone with an interest in deconstructing how modern fiction works - either the casual reader or the student. Recommended.
Each chapter is drawn from an article in Lodge's own newspaper column, which means that the subject matter is easily accessible and digestible for the casual reader. Lodge's style is easy to read and follow and he occasionally intersperses his analysis with his own anecdotes. This is 'a book to browse in, and dip into', as Lodge himself explains, which assumes very little prior knowledge of the texts concerned. Indeed his subjects are very diverse, ranging from Henry Fielding in the 18th century, and Victorian writers such as Brontė and Dickens, all the way to 20th-century authors including, among many others, George Orwell and Kazuo Ishiguro. However, it is not necessary to have read all - or even any - of these texts, as Lodge begins each chapter with a relevant passage quoted in full to illustrate his point.
The goal of "The Art of Fiction" is to enhance the reader's understanding of modern literature, and not explicitly to teach lessons in composition to aspiring authors. Nevertheless, for any writer it is always instructive to dissect those works which have gone before, and this book would therefore be of tremendous use.
Everything considered, "The Art of Fiction" is a worthy addition to the bookshelf of anyone with an interest in deconstructing how modern fiction works - either the casual reader or the student. Recommended.
47 of 49 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This collection of essays represents an understated and friendly guide. Thorough but accessible, Lodge has written a readable journey into the ways in which texts can be read. Although neither as challenging nor thought-provoking as more academic volumes on 'ways of reading', The Art of Fiction has the brevity and lightness of touch that makes it an excellent starting point for those interested in fiction in all its forms, and for those who want to indulge in the magical variety of classic and contemporary fiction.
53 of 56 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As an aspiring novelist I can highly recommend this book. In fifty chapters David Lodge explains pretty much everything you need to know to gain a deeper insight into reading literature. I have read further than this book, such as I.A. Richard's Principles of Literary Criticism and Jonathan Culler's works on literary theory and literary criticism but Lodge's more modest work still has pride of place on my bookshelf next to these other giants.
So many critics seem to know the way but are unable to drive.
With Lodge this is not a problem as he is both a critically acclaimed author and a respected academic. As a result he is able to offer an insight into literature from within and without. The only criticism I have, and it is a very small one, is that he only comments on English and American literature because he specialises in these fields of literature. Something he admits to in the introduction. But this is largely unimportant considering the wealth of English and American literature.
Whether you are a student of literature, an aspiring writer, or simply someone who wishes to better understand what you read then this is a book to start with as it is refreshingly free of pretentiousness.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Simple & Useful
This is a really useful book to read if you are studying on an English course or are interested in literature as an art form. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Reader19
Invaluable
As a lapsed writer and always a fervent reader, I have found this book invaluable in helping me start writing again.
Published 4 months ago by Schoolgirls Own Library
helpful
Practical advice with excellent examples which make the point clear. He travels through POV, pace,place, detail etc in an easy to understand way. Read more
Published 7 months ago by ES
Thank you David Lodge
As a one time English Lit. student, an avid reader, a facilitator of writing groups, and a wannabe novelist, I am finding so very much in this book. Read more
Published 8 months ago by C. Smith
Literary Appreciation Made Easy
The collection of articles in David Lodge's book, The Art of Fiction, first appeared in The Independent on Sunday and The Washington Post. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Herman Norford
A solid accompaniment to English Literature AS/A Level
Clearly laid out, this text is easy to read, clear in its message, very simple to reference either by author or by topic. Read more
Published 13 months ago by George Mac
Very readable and informative
David Lodge's The Art of Fiction: Illustrated from Classic and Modern Texts is a collection of articles previously published in the Independent on Sunday and Washington Post,... Read more
Published 15 months ago by S. K.
Art within art
A work of art in itself. The selected quotations are well-chosen to illustrate the fifty literary devices in the world of prose writing.
Published 18 months ago by D. Hatton
Excellent
A definite must for those trying to get their head around what a novel is. Should have read it years ago.
Published 20 months ago by Alpafo
prompt and in perfect condition
perfect. the book seems brand new, arrived sooner than expected. Very content with provider. thanks
Published 22 months ago by leila11
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