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.

When the first edition of David Madden'sA 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

Part 1 Preface to the First Edition
Part 2 Preface to the New Edition
Part 3 Acknowledgments
Part 4 Introduction
Part 5 Part I: Types of Novels
Chapter 6 1. Novels of Comedy
Chapter 7 2. Novels of Personal Writings
Chapter 8 3. Novels of Life
Chapter 9 4. Novels of Development
Chapter 10 5. The Symbolic Novel
Chapter 11 6. The Popular Novel
Chapter 12 7. Novels of History
Chapter 13 8. Novels of Realism
Chapter 14 9. Novels of Region
Chapter 15 10. Novels of Philosophy and Politics
Chapter 16 11. Novels of Psychology
Chapter 17 12. The Pure Novel: A Not-Yet-Realized Type
Part 18 Part II: The Art of Fiction
Chapter 19 13. Point of View
Chapter 20 14. Story
Chapter 21 15. Characters
Chapter 22 16. Conflict
Chapter 23 17. Time-Space
Chapter 24 18. Theme
Chapter 25 19. Plot
Chapter 26 20. Structure
Chapter 27 21. Style
Chapter 28 22. Symbolism
Chapter 29 23. Imagery
Chapter 30 24. Unity
Chapter 31 25. Innovative Techniques
Chapter 32 26. Revision
Part 33 Epilogue: Relationship between the Reader and Writer
Part 34 Appendix: Critical Approaches
Part 35 Selected Bibliography
Part 36 Chronology: The Development of the Novel
Part 37 Author and Title Index
Part 38 Type and Technique Index
Part 39 About the Authors