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The English Novel
Who can imagine life without novels? They have served not merely as diversions but as companions for so much of our lives, offering hours of pleasure and, at their best, insights few of us can ever quantify. But the simple joy of reading novels sometimes obscures our awareness of the deeper roles they play in our lives: honing our intellect, quenching our emotional thirsts, and shaping our sense of ourselves and of the world we live in. And this may be especially obvious in the case of the English novel, as you'll see in this engaging series of 24 lectures from an award-winning teacher.
Under Professor Spurgin's guidance, you'll learn how the period that gave rise to the novel in England corresponded with a convulsive social transformation - one that produced the world's first modern, capitalist economy. Along the way, traditional social values often appeared to be outdated, as did traditional narrative forms.
You'll see how the great English novelists were eager to create something new and different, breaking from traditions in which stories were usually centered on aristocrats and nobles to focus instead on the thoughts and feelings of ordinary people and taking pains to capture the rhythms of everyday life. At the same time, they also reacted to a number of larger developments: industrialization and urbanization, democratization and globalization.
By placing more than two centuries of great English novelists in the context of British history and showing how their lives intersected with the creation of their art, these lectures offer a fascinating look at a form of enduring popularity and importance whose influence has been felt everywhere novels are read.
Under Professor Spurgin's guidance, you'll learn how the period that gave rise to the novel in England corresponded with a convulsive social transformation - one that produced the world's first modern, capitalist economy. Along the way, traditional social values often appeared to be outdated, as did traditional narrative forms.
You'll see how the great English novelists were eager to create something new and different, breaking from traditions in which stories were usually centered on aristocrats and nobles to focus instead on the thoughts and feelings of ordinary people and taking pains to capture the rhythms of everyday life. At the same time, they also reacted to a number of larger developments: industrialization and urbanization, democratization and globalization.
By placing more than two centuries of great English novelists in the context of British history and showing how their lives intersected with the creation of their art, these lectures offer a fascinating look at a form of enduring popularity and importance whose influence has been felt everywhere novels are read.
1 pages, Audible Audio
First published January 1, 2006
2 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 27, 2021
Still five stars. Prof. Spurgin is obviously passionate about the subject and he talks about it in a clear, concise way which makes it easy to remember. Recommended for anyone who is interested in the evolution of the English novel between 1740 and 1920. One word of warning, though - while discussing the books, prof. Spurgin invariably reveals the most important plot points, apparently having assumed that his listeners are already familiar with the source material. This is surely a drawback, but a minor one, so I have decided to keep my original rating.
April 28, 2024
Eminently bingeable series of lectures, I am deeply jealous of Prof. Spurgin's students. While English lit isn't my main area of interest, I learnt A LOT and I can't wait to try reading some of the authors mentioned (Sterne, Hardy, Henry James, Lawrence) and reading more of Austen. Speaking of Austen, the obvious affection that the professor has for her books was very heartwarming, as well as his many arguments to convince his reluctant male students that, yes, she's the real deal.
March 10, 2012
Another amazing lecture series from the Teaching Company. In this series, Professor Timothy Spurgin presents an overview of English literature from the 1600s to modern day. The course is divided into a series of 30 minute lectures with each lecture focusing on one or 2 authors. What I really enjoyed about this course is the context he provides for each author, describing not only their lives, but the events and concerns of the time. He makes very esoteric works much easier to understand and much less intimidating. There are a few authors that I had decided I probably would pass by, like D.H. Lawrence or James Joyce, but after hearing his enthusiasm about their novels, I'm ready to give them a shot. In face, after finishing this lecture series, I started reading Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse and I'm really enjoying it - thanks to this course! One of the quotes that he mentions from Rushdie's Midnight's Children really sums up his philosophy on reading any piece of fiction - "To understand one life, you have to swallow the world." And to really understand any book, you have to know about the author's life and the world at that time. Professor Spurgin does a great job of giving you a taste for a wide selection of English classics. Great course!
April 2, 2024
Insightful collection of lectures on the evolution of the English novel with one major flaw and a couple of minor ones.
The content is well done, though he sometimes becomes too pedantic even for me in discussing whether or not a certain book qualifies as a novel.
But Spurgin’s major flaw is that he often describes the plot of the novel to the point of spoiling the ending. What is most infuriating is that he tells us in Lecture 23 that he does not expect us to have read the novels he is discussing. Then why the !!$%%$## do would you spoil the ending?
The content is well done, though he sometimes becomes too pedantic even for me in discussing whether or not a certain book qualifies as a novel.
But Spurgin’s major flaw is that he often describes the plot of the novel to the point of spoiling the ending. What is most infuriating is that he tells us in Lecture 23 that he does not expect us to have read the novels he is discussing. Then why the !!$%%$## do would you spoil the ending?
January 24, 2013
These lectures offer many delightful insights into the historical development of the English novel as well as into the particular genius of several of the most celebrated novelists of that tradition. Professor Spurgin organizes this course effectively and brings out quite nicely how the works of earlier authors influenced those of their literary successors, establishing some of the basic expectations of the genre while leaving room for change and innovation. His early lectures that clarify just what was "new" about the novel—what distinguished it from earlier forms such as the history and the romance—were particularly helpful. Spurgin communicates a lot of enthusiasm for the novels he profiles, and I have added many of them to my "to read" list as a result (including Eliot's Middlemarch, which I have almost finished).
I would make four entries on the "cons" side of the ledger. (1) I thought the conclusion of the course with the three great Modernists (Joyce, Woolf, and Lawrence) seemed rather abrupt. The novel as literary form has certainly not exhausted itself; indeed, Spurgin acknowledges that contemporary practitioners have continued to innovate and excel with the form. It would have seemed more sensible to admit that the ending point was arbitrarily chosen so as to fit the 24-lecture format. Perhaps a further course on contemporary novels would be warranted. (2) The treatment of the invidual novels is inevitably a bit superficial; there's only so much one can fit in in thirty minutes or an hour. It often felt like the discussion barely scratched the surface. I'd like to see more courses that focus on just a single author among the giants of the tradition (e.g., Austen, Dickens, etc.). (3) Spoilers! If you haven't read one of the novels being discussed and would like to, consider skipping that lecture. Crucial plot developments may be revealed. (4) Finally, I would also note, in a rather nitpicky vein, that Spurgin has a tendency to say "to be sure" several times a lecture. He must have said it nearly a hundred times over the entirety of the course!
On the whole, though, the pros much outweigh the cons. There is much to like about the course, and I don't hesitate to recommend it to any lover of literature or culture.
I would make four entries on the "cons" side of the ledger. (1) I thought the conclusion of the course with the three great Modernists (Joyce, Woolf, and Lawrence) seemed rather abrupt. The novel as literary form has certainly not exhausted itself; indeed, Spurgin acknowledges that contemporary practitioners have continued to innovate and excel with the form. It would have seemed more sensible to admit that the ending point was arbitrarily chosen so as to fit the 24-lecture format. Perhaps a further course on contemporary novels would be warranted. (2) The treatment of the invidual novels is inevitably a bit superficial; there's only so much one can fit in in thirty minutes or an hour. It often felt like the discussion barely scratched the surface. I'd like to see more courses that focus on just a single author among the giants of the tradition (e.g., Austen, Dickens, etc.). (3) Spoilers! If you haven't read one of the novels being discussed and would like to, consider skipping that lecture. Crucial plot developments may be revealed. (4) Finally, I would also note, in a rather nitpicky vein, that Spurgin has a tendency to say "to be sure" several times a lecture. He must have said it nearly a hundred times over the entirety of the course!
On the whole, though, the pros much outweigh the cons. There is much to like about the course, and I don't hesitate to recommend it to any lover of literature or culture.
March 20, 2021
Having just completed the lessons, I'm impressed with the clarity and eloquence of the lecturer, Professor Timothy Spurgin. This is just what I've been looking for - an analysis of the English novel from its early days until now. Spurgin liberally uses examples to illustrate his points. There's no better way to learn than to compare and contrast, using specific examples, instead of vague generalities. The PDF document that comes with these lessons is quite helpful.
The lessons build upon each other and are great; they explain how the English novel changed over time. The fascinating thing is that the novel changed in reaction to the changes that were taking place in England/Great Britain at different times. Of course, Dr. Spurgin tells the listener about the changes taking place in England that affect the novel.
Now that I've finished the series, I have a whole list of works that I'm eager to read. I think I will read them with greater insight because of the tutelage of Dr. Spurgin.
I recently listened to another of the Great Courses: CLASSICS OF BRITISH LITERATURE with Dr. John Sutherland. The course work emphasized may be similar (or in some cases identical) but their insights are different. I enjoy hearing different perspectives.
Lessons:
1) Definitions and Distinctions
2) The “Englishness” of the English Novel
3) Historical Context of Early English Fiction
4) The Rise of the Novel—Richardson & Fielding
5) After 1750—Sterne, Burney, and Radcliffe
6) Scott and the Historical Novel
7) Austen and the Comedic Tradition
8) Austen and the History of Consciousness
9) Dickens—Early Works
10) Novelists of the 1840s—Thackeray
11) Novelists of the 1840s—The Brontës
12) Dickens—Later Works
13) After 1870—Review and Preview
14) Eliot and the Multiplot Novel
15) Eliot and the Unfolding of Character
16) Hardy and the Natural World
17) James and the Art of Fiction
18) Conrad and the “Scramble for Africa”
19) Ford and Forster—Transition to Modernism
20) Lawrence and the “Bright Book of Life”
21) Joyce—Dublin and Dubliners
22)Joyce—Realism and Anti-Realism
23Woolf and the Poetic Novel
24) The Impact of the Novel
The lessons build upon each other and are great; they explain how the English novel changed over time. The fascinating thing is that the novel changed in reaction to the changes that were taking place in England/Great Britain at different times. Of course, Dr. Spurgin tells the listener about the changes taking place in England that affect the novel.
Now that I've finished the series, I have a whole list of works that I'm eager to read. I think I will read them with greater insight because of the tutelage of Dr. Spurgin.
I recently listened to another of the Great Courses: CLASSICS OF BRITISH LITERATURE with Dr. John Sutherland. The course work emphasized may be similar (or in some cases identical) but their insights are different. I enjoy hearing different perspectives.
Lessons:
1) Definitions and Distinctions
2) The “Englishness” of the English Novel
3) Historical Context of Early English Fiction
4) The Rise of the Novel—Richardson & Fielding
5) After 1750—Sterne, Burney, and Radcliffe
6) Scott and the Historical Novel
7) Austen and the Comedic Tradition
8) Austen and the History of Consciousness
9) Dickens—Early Works
10) Novelists of the 1840s—Thackeray
11) Novelists of the 1840s—The Brontës
12) Dickens—Later Works
13) After 1870—Review and Preview
14) Eliot and the Multiplot Novel
15) Eliot and the Unfolding of Character
16) Hardy and the Natural World
17) James and the Art of Fiction
18) Conrad and the “Scramble for Africa”
19) Ford and Forster—Transition to Modernism
20) Lawrence and the “Bright Book of Life”
21) Joyce—Dublin and Dubliners
22)Joyce—Realism and Anti-Realism
23Woolf and the Poetic Novel
24) The Impact of the Novel
January 4, 2016
An excellent course! The professor approached this history of the English novel very methodically and formally, which, although it left little room for off-the-cuff commentary or casual anecdotes, was probably essential for subject matter of this range (1740-2005) and significance (Austen, Scott, Bronte, Dickens, Eliot, Conrad, Joyce, Woolf, etc.). I thoroughly enjoyed it.
February 12, 2016
Enjoyed this course very much! Recommended.
February 23, 2017
This lecture was illuminating. It there are like 75 books I need to read now.
July 21, 2019
A great course about some of my favorite authors. I'll come back with more.
January 21, 2019
I did not know, prior to this audioseries, that the age of the novel began predominantly in the 1700s, and although there were predecessors that even self-identified as novels, are comprised of character transformation and expression. I can see how there is a pedantic temptation on the part of some English majors to feel elevated or even elite in their claims that they have read all of Proust or Conrad after hearing why some authors made such a splash. Austen and several of the Brontes established what a classical novel is, but then others like Joyce and Hardy made their marks by diverting from that model. I can't say I want to rush out and find all those divergences, but it was eye-opening to see how the novel came to become the main expression of story character and social commentary for the past three centuries.
March 18, 2024
It took me a while to get into these lectures. Maybe it was because Timothy Spurgin digs deep, making this as much a social history as a literary one. Maybe because it felt a little odd to listen to lectures about the English novel given in an American accent. Still, he clearly knows his stuff and I was soon drawn in.
Overall, I enjoyed the insights and the mini-biographies of various authors. I learned to appreciate Ulysses more than I ever did from actually reading the book. James Joyce is the kind of author that I find more fun to read about than to actually read. I guess that must mean there’s something wrong with me. So be it.
Anyway, this was fun, and I recommend it to anyone who loves books.
Overall, I enjoyed the insights and the mini-biographies of various authors. I learned to appreciate Ulysses more than I ever did from actually reading the book. James Joyce is the kind of author that I find more fun to read about than to actually read. I guess that must mean there’s something wrong with me. So be it.
Anyway, this was fun, and I recommend it to anyone who loves books.
May 29, 2023
I found myself enjoying this lecture series significantly more than I thought I would. The material, while dry for many in a modern audience, is presented incredibly well by an eloquent, well read academic who is absolutely fascinated with the subject material. I think even the most adamant hater could find something that they enjoyed in this lecture series. I learned quite a lot about the central figures of the English novel and quite a lot about the debate about what makes a novel a novel. All in all rather interesting if you're interested in the material in any way shape or form.
April 5, 2024
Interesting read, but not what I thought it was. I was hoping for a history of the English novel, focusing on its origins, and then transitioning to the literary movements. But this was more an analysis of classic authors. Each chapter contained a summary of a book, while explaining background and style of the author. Still happy I read this, as it turned me towards a lot of authors I otherwise would not have read.
September 6, 2025
I wanted to listen to something familiar so I spent some time with old friends such as Austen and Eliot and Harding. Once again, the lecturer raved about Virginia Woolf whose fiction I find boring and uptight. But otherwise, this was a good overview of the history of the English Novel, from Richardson to Woolf. He also mentioned a few other new authors, including Zadie Smith, whose work I am curious about but haven't read yet.
January 28, 2024
I tend not to be a fan of English novels, but excitement can be infectious so I thought I’d see what all the fuss was about. Professor Spurgin did exactly that, his love for the genre is indeed infectious and delivers it in a way that doesn’t make his enthusiasm misplaced. I’m excited to head to a library and try out many of the titles.
November 5, 2018
Anyone who can convince me to give Joyce another chance deserves 5 stars :P
May 11, 2019
Of course I preferred the lectures on authors I was familiar with, but this was overall quite interesting.
April 21, 2023
“This is not the time to be turning away from literature. This is the time to be turning towards it.” Yes.
July 31, 2023
Great survey of a British literature. Really gives you a sense of literary history. Moves a little too fast post-1920s
March 29, 2014
Very interesting, although many things were kind of obvious for me as an English/lit major.
Made me want to read more Virginia Woolf. And D.H. Lawrence and definitely Tristam Shandy. I had to skip the Austen bits for fear of spoilers but I'll definitely get back to it when I read the rest of her work. It made me reconsider Joyce as a someone I might someday read (I *think* I once read part of the Dublineers and was bored stiff EDITED: Have read most of Dublineers, WAS SO BORED that I couldn't make myself go through the 3 stories I had left), especially Portrait of The Artist as a young man, which, to be honest, I was eying anyway because it has the best title ever, but not just that.
I was also very interested in the concept of the comedic plot.
From minute 18, lecture 16: Comedic world: a logical place where good is rewarded, bad punish. Nature is balanced. A tragic world leaves us in doubt. Also, in a comedic world everybody will get married at the end. The status quo will be maintained. And how at one point English novelists realised that it was hindering progress, that they weren't telling the stories of all the people that were not happy with how things were (women, working class, etc). Tragic plots, on the other hand, end with injustice, with a world that is not evil in intent but, even worse, indifferent, whatever we do has no effect in our future. A terrifying concept even nowadays for people who keep trying to create something out of chaos, give life some structure, give ourselves some measure of control.
I liked that it ended up with modern living writers, there's some people there I really want to check out, as well.
Made me want to read more Virginia Woolf. And D.H. Lawrence and definitely Tristam Shandy. I had to skip the Austen bits for fear of spoilers but I'll definitely get back to it when I read the rest of her work. It made me reconsider Joyce as a someone I might someday read (I *think* I once read part of the Dublineers and was bored stiff EDITED: Have read most of Dublineers, WAS SO BORED that I couldn't make myself go through the 3 stories I had left), especially Portrait of The Artist as a young man, which, to be honest, I was eying anyway because it has the best title ever, but not just that.
I was also very interested in the concept of the comedic plot.
From minute 18, lecture 16: Comedic world: a logical place where good is rewarded, bad punish. Nature is balanced. A tragic world leaves us in doubt. Also, in a comedic world everybody will get married at the end. The status quo will be maintained. And how at one point English novelists realised that it was hindering progress, that they weren't telling the stories of all the people that were not happy with how things were (women, working class, etc). Tragic plots, on the other hand, end with injustice, with a world that is not evil in intent but, even worse, indifferent, whatever we do has no effect in our future. A terrifying concept even nowadays for people who keep trying to create something out of chaos, give life some structure, give ourselves some measure of control.
I liked that it ended up with modern living writers, there's some people there I really want to check out, as well.
August 29, 2012
This is part of the Teaching Company series of lectures and it felt like going back to college (a good thing in my case). I was not an English major and although I have read most of the standard books, I read them as stories, with no thought about the changing development of novel methodology and technique. I totally enjoyed looking at Austen, Dickens, Eliot, Joyce and the others in a new light. I particularly enjoyed the lectures that compared English novels with those from Russia, France and the US. I wish there were a entire set on the newer novels; my favorite lecture covered some of my favorite contemporary writers such as McEwan and Rushdie and Zadie Smith.
In general, I really enjoy the Teaching Company series. It would be easy for me to become one of those old people who just go and audit classes ad infinitum with no plan and no grades and no effort.
In general, I really enjoy the Teaching Company series. It would be easy for me to become one of those old people who just go and audit classes ad infinitum with no plan and no grades and no effort.
January 21, 2016
I enjoy these courses, and this one was no exception. I have read many English novels, but this course pretty much put it all together and gave me perspective I didn't have. It was interesting to see the development of the novel over time. It also made me enthused to read some of the novels discussed in the lectures that I have not yet read. I thought the lectures were well structured and well delivered. This was from audible.com by the way, not a book.
February 7, 2017
I enjoyed this survey of the English Novel. I was surprised, even with my extensive literature reading, at how many novels were included in these lectures that I've not yet read. While I enjoyed listening to Spurgin, and think he is brilliant in his field - I wasn't necessarily inspired to read most of the books he profiled. But, I am glad to know a bit more of the development of novels when I do read more.
November 15, 2009
A 24 lecture course on the English Novel, taught by Timothy Spurgin. Very interesting analysis of what makes English novels unique and the history, trends and changes over the years from Fielding to Joyce. Very interesting!! It gives me tools to analyze and understand the things I read better. I have the tapes if anyone is interesting in borrowing them.
April 5, 2016
I enjoyed this immensely, having read many of the books and authors, having taught some of them, and having enjoyed English novels greatly.
Hearing more about the authors and stories you love is wonderful.
The professor is marvelous.
Hearing more about the authors and stories you love is wonderful.
The professor is marvelous.
February 27, 2009
Good intro. to the English novelistic tradition. If you've read the books the author discussess, you'll get much more out of the lectures.
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March 3, 2017Solid. Occasionally made some generalizations that seemed unjustified, but was VERY good at putting different literary movements in perspective with books, and also -- and this was my favorite part -- connected novels to events in history and the novelists' lives.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews