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A highly original and intelligent investigation of the novel from celebrated writer and “gentle genius” E. M. Forster
E. M. Forster’s renowned guide to writing sparkles with wit and insight for contemporary writers and readers. With lively language and excerpts from well-known classics, Forster takes on the seven elements vital to a novel: story, people, plot, fantasy, prophecy, pattern, and rhythm. He not only defines and explains such terms as “round” versus “flat” characters (and why both are needed for an effective novel), but also provides examples of writing from such literary greats as Dickens and Austen. Forster's original commentary illuminates and entertains without lapsing into complicated, scholarly rhetoric, coming together in a key volume on writing that avoids chronology and what he calls “pseudoscholarship.”
A discussion of the people, plots, patterns and prophecy of the novel.
| I | Introductory | 3 |
| II | The Story | 25 |
| III | People | 43 |
| IV | People (Continued) | 65 |
| V | The Plot | 83 |
| VI | Fantasy | 105 |
| VII | Prophecy | 125 |
| VIII | Pattern and Rhythm | 149 |
| IX | Conclusion | 171 |
| Index | 175 |
Anonymous
Posted January 18, 2008
Aspects of the Novel by E.M. Forster, addresses both readers and aspiring writers--and gives example after example of literary masterpieces and offers techniques for writing more attentively, for noticing and thrilling in the language on the page. It comes from the wisdom of a seasoned teachers of literature, longtime journalists and host of other collected articles, and the author of fourteen works of fiction. E.M. Forster has a guarded enthusiasm for MFA programs the book, in part, is a criticism of where some of the MFA program culture has gone astray, as if some writing workshops have become unmoored from the literary masterpieces that inspired them. If I had to really characterize the book I'd say it's about the pleasure of learning to write..................Hattely
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Overview
A highly original and intelligent investigation of the novel from celebrated writer and “gentle genius” E. M. Forster
E. M. Forster’s renowned guide to writing sparkles with wit and insight for contemporary writers and readers. With lively language and excerpts from well-known classics, Forster takes on the seven elements vital to a novel: story, people, plot, fantasy, prophecy, pattern, and rhythm. He not only defines and explains such terms as “round” versus “flat” characters ...