When the first edition of David Madden's A 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

About the Author
David Madden is Professor of Creative Writing at Louisiana State University. He is the author of several books of criticism, including Revising Fiction, and The Poetic Image in Six Genres. His poems and short stories have appeared in a wide variety of publications, from Redbook and Playboy to The Southern Review. He has also written several novels, including the Pulitzer-prize nominee, The Suicide's Wife (1978). Charles Bane is assistant professor at the University of Central Arkansas, Conroy, Arkansas. Sean Flory is a PhD candidate in Renaissance Studies at Louisiana State University.

Reviews
Madden (creative writing, Louisiana State U.) focuses on more than 50 types and major artistic techniques of the novel throughout its history, providing definitions and discussions and including passages and lists of examples. The text includes a detailed chronology of novels, two bibliographies of articles and books by both novelists and critics, and indexes of types and techniques and of authors and titles. The new edition has been completely updated. * Reference and Research Book News, November 2006 *



Book Information
ISBN 9780810857087
Author David Madden
Format Paperback
Page Count 300
Imprint Scarecrow Press
Publisher Scarecrow Press
Weight(grams) 481g
Dimensions(mm) 227mm * 170mm * 19mm