How to Reread a Novel

Matthew Clark's How to Reread a Novel explores the complexities of fiction writing through practical analysis of narration techniques, demystifying the tools novelists use to build worlds. It examines how narrative techniques create perception, cognition, and emotion, and how they form beauty and meaning. By exploring fundamental methodologies of narrative storytelling, the book encourages readers to go beyond the surface and uncover subtleties in a text.

Format: Hardback
Length: 226 pages
Publication date: 06 December 2023
Publisher: Louisiana State University Press

A novel stands as one of the most intricate and profound creations of human imagination, the culmination of countless choices and decisions. In his insightful book, How to Reread a Novel, Matthew Clark delves into the intricacies of fiction writing, offering a practical analysis of the resources employed by novelists to craft their captivating worlds. Drawing upon classical philology, rhetorical traditions, and contemporary approaches to narratology, Clark explores the complex experience of reading fiction as a fusion of perception, cognition, and emotion. He examines how writers utilize narrative techniques to shape and control the reader's experience, creating a narrative that evokes beauty and meaning.

The text spans a wide range of literary works, from the ancient Iliad and Odyssey to contemporary literature, including in-depth discussions of novels by renowned authors such as Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Henry James, and Raymond Chandler. Clark meticulously investigates fundamental methodologies of narrative storytelling, shedding light on the effects they have in shaping the aesthetic and thematic qualities of a text. By delving into some of the core techniques of narrative composition, How to Reread a Novel empowers readers to uncover hidden nuances and layers within a text, encouraging them to delve beyond the surface and discover the essence that makes reading fiction a unique and enriching experience.

Through his comprehensive exploration, Clark invites readers to reevaluate their understanding of literature and to appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship that lie behind the written word. He encourages readers to engage with fiction on a deeper level, to explore the complexities of character development, plot construction, and thematic exploration, and to discover the profound impact that literature can have on our lives. How to Reread a Novel serves as a valuable guide for both seasoned readers and those who are new to the world of literary analysis, offering a wealth of insights and perspectives that will enhance their appreciation of the literary masterpiece.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780807180099