Twentieth Century Classics: Aspects of the Novel

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E.M. Forster's Aspects of the Novel is a groundbreaking exploration of the novel as a literary form, first presented as a series of lectures at Cambridge University. In this Penguin Classics edition, edited by Oliver Stallybrass with a new preface by Frank Kermode, Forster critiques the 'pseudoscholarship' of historical criticism, urging readers to envision great novelists collaborating in a single space. He delves into key elements such as character, plot, fantasy, and rhythm, drawing insightful comparisons between authors like Proust and James, Dickens and Thackeray, and Eliot and Dostoyevsky, highlighting both their shared traits and differences. Forster's engaging and conversational style, infused with his characteristic wit and irreverence, makes this work of criticism both accessible and thought-provoking. Kermode’s introduction reflects on how Forster's experiences as a novelist shaped his lectures. This edition also features Stallybrass's original introduction, a chronology, suggestions for further reading, and appendices. E.M. Forster (1879-1970), a prominent English author and member of the Bloomsbury group, is known for novels such as Where Angels Fear To Tread, A Room With A View, and Howards End. If you appreciate this work, you may also enjoy Forster's A Room with a View, available in Penguin Classics.