WHAT'S IN A NOVEL

This does not pretend to be a critical appraisal of modern fiction, but rather a survey of the field, selective, but general enough to supplement the author's Living With Books, and certain specialized studies. Anyone working with books will find this a valuable handbook and guide, a good outline of trends and types, which includes not English language fiction alone, but a birdseye view of contemporary and recent fiction in Europe and Latin America. Introductory chapters place the novel as as important factor in literature and social history. A final chapter should prove an excellent guide to the club reading groups. One could wish for more lists.