Aspects of the Novel / E.M. Forster

1. Introductory;
2. The story;
3. People;
4. People;
5. The plot;
6. Fantasy;
7. Prophecy;
8. Pattern and rhythm;
9. Conclusions.

First given as a series of lectures at Cambridge University, aspects of the Novel is Foster's analysis of this great literary form. Here he rejects the 'historical' view of criticism- that demon of chronology- that considers writers in terms of the period in which they wrote and instead asks us to imagine the great novelist at work together in a circular room. He discusses aspects of people, plot, fantasy and rhythm, making illuminating comparisons between such novelists as Proust and James, Dickens and Thackeray, Eliot and Dotstoyevsky-the features shared by their books and the ways in which they differ. Written in a wonderfully engaging and conversational manner, this penetrating work of criticism is full of Foster's habitual irreverence, wit and wisdom.
In his new introduction, Frank Kermode discusses the ways in which Foster's perspective as a novelist inspired his lectures. This edition also includes the original introduction by Oliver Stallybrass, a chronology, further reading and appendices.