A History of the French Novel

A History of the French Novel

By George Saintsbury
Michael Caine
Listen with Sir Michael Caine™ and 1,000+ voices
Length45h 21m

About this audiobook

George Saintsbury's "A History of the French Novel" serves as a seminal exploration of the evolution of French prose fiction, tracing its lineage from the earliest narratives to the contemporaneous literary landscape of the early 20th century. Engagingly written with a critical eye, Saintsbury employs a chronological structure interwoven with thematic discussions, delving into the cultural, historical, and aesthetic contexts that birthed iconic works and authors. His analytic prose reflects a profound understanding of literary movements and the socio-political intricacies that influenced the novel's trajectory, providing readers with a comprehensive framework to appreciate the richness of French literature. George Saintsbury (1845-1933), a distinguished critic, philologist, and historian of literature, was deeply entrenched in the literary milieu of his time. His academic background, combined with a passionate appreciation for the French novel, informed his meticulous study, making him one of the foremost authorities on the subject. Through teaching and critical writing, he sought to illuminate the transformative power of fiction, and his insights were shaped by a personal engagement with French culture and its literary traditions. For readers interested in the intricate tapestry of literary history, "A History of the French Novel" is an essential acquisition. Saintsbury's eloquent prose and scholarly rigor not only enlighten but also provoke thought regarding the relevance of historical narratives in understanding contemporary literature. This book is an invaluable resource, designed for both scholars and literary enthusiasts keen to navigate the profound developments of the French novel.

Audiobook details

GenreLiterary Classics
Length45 hrs 21 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateNov 13, 2022
LanguageEnglish

Table of contents

1PREFACE
2ADDENDA AND CORRIGENDA
3CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY
4CHAPTER II. THE MATTERS OF FRANCE, ROME, AND BRITAIN
5CHAPTER III. ROMANS D'AVENTURES
Show all chapters
6CHAPTER IV. THE BEGINNINGS OF PROSE FICTION
7CHAPTER V. THE BEGINNINGS OF PROSE FICTION
8CHAPTER VI. RABELAIS
9CHAPTER VII. THE SUCCESSORS OF RABELAIS AND THE INFLUENCE OF THE "AMADIS" ROMANCES
10CHAPTER VIII. THE SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY NOVEL—I (pt. 1)
11CHAPTER VIII. THE SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY NOVEL—I (pt. 2)
12CHAPTER VIII. THE SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY NOVEL—I (pt. 3)
13CHAPTER IX. THE SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY NOVEL—II
14CHAPTER X. LESAGE, MARIVAUX, PRÉVOST, CRÉBILLON
15CHAPTER XI. THE PHILOSOPHE NOVEL
16CHAPTER XII. "SENSIBILITY." MINOR AND LATER NOVELISTS.
17APPENDICES. CHRONOLOGICAL CONSPECTUS OF THE PRINCIPAL WORKS OF FRENCH FICTION NOTICED IN THIS VOLUME
18BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTES
19PREFACE
20ADDENDA AND CORRIGENDA FOR VOL. I
21ADDENDA AND CORRIGENDA FOR VOL. II
22CHAPTER I. MADAME DE STAËL AND CHATEAUBRIAND
23CHAPTER II. PAUL DE KOCK, OTHER MINORS OF 1800–1830, AND NODIER
24CHAPTER III. VICTOR HUGO
25CHAPTER IV. BEYLE AND BALZAC
26CHAPTER V. GEORGE SAND
27CHAPTER VI. THE NOVEL OF STYLE—GAUTIER, MÉRIMÉE, GÉRARD DE NERVAL, MUSSET, VIGNY (pt. 1)
28CHAPTER VI. THE NOVEL OF STYLE—GAUTIER, MÉRIMÉE, GÉRARD DE NERVAL, MUSSET, VIGNY (pt. 2)
29CHAPTER VII. THE MINORS OF 1830
30CHAPTER VIII. DUMAS THE ELDER
31CHAPTER IX. THE FRENCH NOVEL IN 1850
32CHAPTER X. THE FRENCH NOVEL IN 1850
33CHAPTER XI. GUSTAVE FLAUBERT
34CHAPTER XII. THE OTHER "NON-NATURALS" OF THE SECOND EMPIRE
35CHAPTER XIII. NATURALISM—THE GONCOURTS, ZOLA, AND MAUPASSANT
36CHAPTER XIV. OTHER NOVELISTS OF 1870–1900
37CONCLUSION
38APPENDIX. DATES OF PUBLICATION OF NOVELS ARRANGED UNDER AUTHOR'S NAMES IN THE ORDER OF NOTICE HERE

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