The Novel: An Alternative History

Introduction: The Novel Novel

Chapter 1: The Ancient Novel
Egyptian
Mesopotamian
Hebrew
Greek
Roman
Christian

Chapter 2: The Medieval Novel
Irish
Icelandic
Byzantine
Jewish
Arthurian

Chapter 3: The Renaissance Novel
Italian
Spanish
French
English

Bridge: The Mesoamerican Novel

Chapter 4: The Eastern Novel
Indian
Tibetan
Arabic
Persian

Chapter 5: The Far Eastern Novel
Japanese
Chinese

Bibliography
Chronological Index of Novels Discussed
General Index

Steven Moore (Ph.D. Rutgers, 1988) is the author of several books and essays on modern literature. From 1988 to 1996 he was managing editor of the Review of Contemporary Fiction/Dalkey Archive Press, and for decades has reviewed books for a variety of journals and newspapers, principally the Washington Post. He lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where is he is working on the next installment of this history.

"The Novel: An Alternative History is a breathtaking achievement. Steve Moore isn't just incredibly well read, he's also funny, irreverent, argumentative and sometimes even downright mean. There's nothing dryly academic about his magnificent book--it's as personal as a love affair and just as thrilling. Like Edmund Wilson, Hugh Kenner or Randall Jarrell, Moore writes with real stylish dash, yet backs up what he says with the authority that only comes from vast knowledge. Ancient Greek novels, classics of Asian fiction, medieval romances, Renaissance allegories, Victorian triple-deckers, postmodern experiments--Moore knows them all. For readers, the result isn't just a history of the novel, it's also one of the all-time great literary carnival rides." Michael Dirda, author of Classics for Pleasure and winner of the Pulitzer Prize for criticism "Moore's range here is staggering. And the intelligence he brings to bear on his materials is awesome, from the subtlest of insights to the boldest of (seemingly always valid) judgments. Add to this Moore's wit, his lucid Orwellian prose, his ability to make a simple plot summary tingle with excitement, the infectious sense of sheer literary pleasure that bubbles through it all - if this isn't a critical masterpiece in the making, there ain't no such animal." David Markson, author of Wittgenstein's Mistress"