The Cambridge Introduction to the Novel

Cambridge Introductions to Literature

by Marina MacKay

Beginning its life as the sensational entertainment of the eighteenth century, the novel has become the major literary genre of modern times. Drawing on hundreds of examples of famous novels from all over the world, Marina MacKay explores the essential aspects of the novel and its history: where novels came from and why we read them; how we think about their styles and techniques, their people, plots, places, and politics. Between the main chapters are longer readings of individual works, from Don Quixote to Midnight's Children. A glossary of key terms and a guide to further reading are included, making this an ideal accompaniment to introductory courses on the novel.

Genres: Literary Criticism, Writing, Literature, Nonfiction, Books About Books

217 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Uğur Karabürk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biraz akademik ve karışık anlatıma sahip bir kitaptı.

[Gareth Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes wry, often witty, and always beautifully articulate, this is one of the best academic introductions to the novel currently available. Dr MacKay seems to have read every novel under the sun and read them very carefully, although this occasionally means, for me at least, a profound sense of inadequacy.

Although there is a great deal to take in, it does not feel like a chore, thanks to the short, clearly written chapters, the useful glossary of terms at the back, and the variety of information on offer. I particularly like the interchapters, which are essentially case studies, including important/obvious choices like Don Quixote and Bleak House but also more unusual, and very exciting, novels like Hogg's Justified Sinner and Greene's Ministry of Fear. MacKay also brilliantly talks back to such respected biographers of the novel as Ian Watt and Michael McKeon, even as she respects them.

I believe that every first-year undergrad would benefit enormously from owning a copy, but, and this is why I give it 4 stars and not 5, there are - spoiler alert! - several plot-spoilers.

[Lobstergirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contains major spoilers of Bleak House, Middlemarch, The Mayor of Casterbridge, The Good Soldier, To the Lighthouse, Mrs. Dalloway, Crime and Punishment, The French Lieutenant's Woman, and others.

[melis · Rating 3 out of 5]

addressed to the "common" reader, it's somewhat superficial at times but alright as an introduction.

[Hakan Sipahioğlu · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Edebiyat Teorisi 101" dersi için iyi bir başlangıç. Eagleton'ın aşırı basitleştirilmiş "Edebiyat Nasıl Okunur"uyla kıyaslandığında şaheser olduğu bile söylenebilir. Yazarının hedef kitlesinin öncelikle Britanyalı okur olması itibarıyla anlaşılabilir bir durum elbette ama kitabın fazla Britanya odaklı oluşu yine de biraz can sıkıcı.

[Çağdaş · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kitabın ele aldığı konuyu değerlendirişi ve analizlerinin derinliği sıradan okuyucu düşünülerek belirlenmiş. Her biri kendi başına kitap olabilecek, romanın farklı kavramlarla ilişkisi ve bu kavramların romanda kullanılışının tarihini anlatan bölümler yeterince, akademik olmayan okuru sıkmayacak kadar kısa, ama asla yüzeysel kalmamış, yeterince karşılaştırmalı örnek de mevcut.

Ne var ki, yazarın uzmanlığı sanırım İngiliz edebiyatı olduğundan, incelemelerin ağırlığı bu yönde kalıyor. Klasik roman çağının, yani 19. yy. edebiyatının Fransız ve Rus devlerine ancak bir iki yerde karşılaştırma yapmak amacıyla değinmek bu kitaba yakışmamış (İyi ki Don Kişot bazı akademisyenler tarafından romanın miladı olarak görülüyor, Cervantes buradan yırtmış).

[Sohail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serious, somber, sober, and aimed at an academic audience, this manual is more than a mere 'introduction'. With a wealth of brief-but-to-the-point descriptions and a myriad of examples, it has implemented a take no prisoners strategy to great effect.

[Dale Muckerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to the novel. Though rather short and easy to read, this book contains both traditional and contemporary views of the novel. MacKay also presents a good overview and history of literary theory for the past couple of centuries. There is also a good deal of speculative thought concerning the ontological ramifications of the novel. Oftentimes thought-provoking, but at other times the speculations seem more about contemporary trends in all of literature and modern culture than about the intrinsic nature of the novel. In any case, the speculations do make you think. Also, it should be noted that the speculations presented come from numerous theorists, not merely from MacKay.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely not in love with this as a novels textbook, but I did enjoy the chapter on time and space within the novel. I understand there is little one can say as fact about the novel, but to me, this didn't really serve a purpose other than to extensively illustrate the most simplistic aspects of a novel (theme, plot, character, etc.).