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Aspects of the Novel

Nonfiction | Reference/Text Book | Adult | Published in 1927

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Book Brief

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E. M. Forster

Aspects of the Novel

Nonfiction | Reference/Text Book | Adult | Published in 1927
Book Details
Pages

192

Format

Reference/Text Book • Nonfiction

Setting

1920s

Publication Year

1927

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Aspects of the Novel by E. M. Forster demystifies the novel's form through discussions on story, people, plot, fantasy, prophecy, pattern, and rhythm. It explores their roles in literature, emphasizing the necessity of grounding novels in humanity. By comparing excerpts from novels written over 200 years, Forster shows their similarities and differences, illustrating key points with examples from authors like Dickens, Austen, and Defoe.

Informative

Contemplative

Inspirational

Reviews & Readership

4.0

4,949 ratings

65%

Loved it

28%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Aspects of the Novel by E. M. Forster provides an insightful analysis of novelistic elements such as plot, character, and narrative. Readers appreciate Forster's conversational tone and clarity. However, some find his examples outdated and his critiques subjective. Overall, it's a valuable resource for understanding novel construction despite minor drawbacks.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Aspects of the Novel?

Potential readers of Aspects of the Novel by E. M. Forster include those who appreciate literary analysis and narrative theory. Fans of Virginia Woolf's A Room of One's Own or Milan Kundera's The Art of the Novel will relish Forster's insights on fiction and its elements. This book suits literature students, writers, and avid readers seeking a deeper understanding of novelistic form.

4.0

4,949 ratings

65%

Loved it

28%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Character List

E.M. Forster

A British novelist and literary critic known for works like Howard's End and A Passage to India, whose lectures and articles explore the nature of literature through novels, including his own Aspects of the Novel.

A Scottish novelist from the early 19th century known for historical novels like Ivanhoe and Rob Roy, whose work The Antiquary is used by Forster to exemplify storytelling competence.

A prominent 19th-century British novelist celebrated for his social narratives like Oliver Twist, famous for creating memorable yet often flat characters with emotional depth in his novels.

An early English novelist lauded for Robinson Crusoe, with Moll Flanders as a key text Forster highlights for its focus on an individual's experiences.

A revered English novelist of the late 18th century, famous for works like Pride and Prejudice, noted by Forster for creating characters who reveal depth in moments of passion or crisis.

An accomplished American author known for Moby Dick, highlighted by Forster for his varied style and the profound tone that characterizes his storytelling.

A 19th-century novelist known for Jane Eyre, whose character development techniques are discussed by Forster, particularly in connection with her novel Villette.

A novelist renowned for Wuthering Heights, which Forster examines for its intense emotional depth and prophetic elements within its characters.

A 19th-century Russian author celebrated for complex narratives like Crime and Punishment, whom Forster references for his divine tone in The Brothers Karamazov.

An American novelist noted for works such as The Turn of the Screw, whose use of structural patterns is analyzed by Forster in the context of his novel The Ambassadors.

A French writer known for his lengthy novel In Search of Lost Time, cited by Forster for his implementation of internal rhythms rather than external structure to unify his work.

Book Details
Pages

192

Format

Reference/Text Book • Nonfiction

Setting

1920s

Publication Year

1927

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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