Title
The Decline Of The Novel
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The Novel Has Lost Its Purpose, Joseph Bottum Argues In This Fascinating New Look At The History Of Fiction. We Have Not Transcended Our Need For What Novels Provide, But We Have Grown To Distrust The Culture That Allowed Novels To Flourish. For Almost Three Hundred Years, Bottum Writes, The Novel Was A Major Art Form, Perhaps The Major Art Form, Of The Modern Worldthe Device By Which, More Than Any Other, We Tried To Explain Ourselves To Ourselves. But Now We No Longer Read Novels The Way We Used To.In A Historical Tour De Forcethe Kind Of Sweeping Analysis Almost Lost To Contemporary Literary Criticismbottum Traces The Emergence Of The Novel From The Modern Religious Crisis Of The Individual Soul And The Atomized Self. In Chapters On Such Figures As Sir Walter Scott, Charles Dickens, And Thomas Mann, He Examines The Enormous Ambitions Once Possessed By Novels And Finds In These Older Works A Rebuke Of Our Current Failure Of Nerve.We Walk With Our Heads Down, Bottum Writes. Without A Sense Of The Old Goals And Reasonsa Sense Of The Good Achieved, Understood As Progressall That Remains Are The Crimes The Culture Committed In The Past To Get Where It Is Now. Uncompensated By Achievement, Unexplained By Purpose, These Unameliorated Sins Must Now Seem Overwhelming: The Very Definition Of A Failed Culture. In Readings Of Everything From Genre Fiction To Childrens Books, Bottum Finds A Lack Of Faith In The Ability Of Art To Respond To The Deep Problems Of Existence. The Decline Of The Novels Prestige Reflects And Confirms A Genuine Cultural Crisis, He Writes.Linking The Novel To Its Religious Origins, Bottum Describes The Urgent Search For Meaning In The New Conditions Of The Modern Age: If The Natural World Is Imagined By Modernity As Empty Of Purpose, Then The Hunt For Natures Importance Is Supernatural, By Definition. The Novel Became A Fundamental Device By Which Culture Pursued The Supernaturalfacilitated By Modernitys Confidence In Science And Cultural Progress. Losing That Confidence, Bottum Says, We Lost The Purpose Of The Art: The Novel Didnt Fail Us. We Failed The Novel.Told In Fastpaced, Wideranging Prose, Bottums The Decline Of The Novel Is A Succinct Critique Of Classical And Contemporary Fiction, Providing Guidelines For Navigating The Vast Genre. This Book Is A Mustread For Those Who Hunger For Grand Accounts Of Literature, Students Of Literary Form, Critics Of Contemporary Art, And General Readers Who Wish To Learn, Finally, What We All Used To Know: The Deep Moral Purpose Of Reading Novels.
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- Q: What is the page count of 'The Decline of the Novel'? A: This book contains one hundred fifty pages. It offers a concise critique of contemporary fiction and its historical context.
- Q: What are the dimensions of 'The Decline of the Novel'? A: The book measures six inches in length, zero point seventy-one inches in width, and nine point zero two inches in height. These dimensions make it a standard-sized hardcover.
- Q: What type of binding does 'The Decline of the Novel' have? A: This book has a hardcover binding. Hardcover books are known for their durability and longevity.
- Q: Who is the author of 'The Decline of the Novel'? A: The author is Joseph Bottum. He provides an insightful analysis of the novel's relevance in modern culture.
- Q: What genre does 'The Decline of the Novel' belong to? A: It is categorized as a general literary criticism book. The text explores the evolution and significance of the novel.
- Q: How should I read 'The Decline of the Novel'? A: You can read this book at your own pace. It's suitable for anyone interested in literary analysis and the history of fiction.
- Q: Is 'The Decline of the Novel' suitable for students? A: Yes, this book is suitable for students of literature. It provides essential insights into the moral purpose of reading novels.
- Q: What age group is 'The Decline of the Novel' appropriate for? A: This book is appropriate for adults and older teens. It discusses complex themes in literature and cultural criticism.
- Q: How do I keep 'The Decline of the Novel' in good condition? A: Store it in a cool, dry place and avoid direct sunlight. Clean the cover gently with a soft cloth to maintain its appearance.
- Q: Does 'The Decline of the Novel' have any special care requirements? A: No, it does not require special care. Just handle it gently and store it properly to ensure its longevity.
- Q: Can I return 'The Decline of the Novel' if I'm not satisfied? A: Yes, most retailers offer a return policy. Check the specific return guidelines of the retailer from which you purchased it.
- Q: What if 'The Decline of the Novel' arrives damaged? A: If it arrives damaged, contact the retailer for a replacement or refund. They typically have policies in place for such issues.
- Q: Is 'The Decline of the Novel' a good choice for literary criticism beginners? A: Yes, it is a great starting point for beginners. Bottum's clear writing style makes complex ideas accessible.
- Q: How does 'The Decline of the Novel' compare to other literary critiques? A: It offers a unique perspective linking the novel's decline to cultural crises. This focus sets it apart from other critiques.
- Q: What themes are explored in 'The Decline of the Novel'? A: The book explores themes of cultural decline, the purpose of art, and the historical significance of the novel. It provides deep insights into literature's role.