Laurence Sterne
Laurence Sterne by Manfred Pfister, published by Oxford University Press in 2001, offers an insightful examination of Sterne’s contributions to the novel form and his experimental approach to narrative. This edition, written in English and spanning 126 pages, delves into the complexities of Sterne’s work, particularly focusing on his most renowned piece, Tristram Shandy. The book highlights how Sterne’s playful irreverence and unconventional methods were often criticized by his contemporaries, yet they reveal a strategic and inventive talent that has gained recognition posthumously.
Readers will find a critical analysis that situates Sterne within the context of modern literary theory, exploring themes of narrative structure and the defiance of linear storytelling. Pfister discusses how Sterne’s fragmented narrative style and digressions serve as a reaction to the more traditional narratives of his time, aiming for a form of realistic impressionism shaped by the association of ideas. This study invites readers to reconsider Sterne’s legacy and the significance of his experimentalism in the evolution of literary criticism, making it a valuable resource for those interested in literary analysis and the history of the novel.
Official synopsis Publisher
Despite the immense popularity of Laurence Sterne’s work during his lifetime, his contribution to the novel form and experimentalism has only been acknowledged since his death. His contemporaries Richardson and Goldsmith denounced his archaic methods and took offence at his playful irreverence but his oddity is never accidental nor perverse; it is the strategy of an inventive, thoughtful, comic talent. Tristram Shandy, perhaps his best loved work, defies convention at every turn, distributing narrative content across a bafflingly idiosyncratic time-scheme interrupted by digressions, authorial comments and interferences with the printed fabric of the book. This comically fragmented story line is a reaction against the linear narratives of Fielding and Richardson; aiming instead at a realistic impressionism, a shape determined by the association of ideas. This study critiques Sterne’s work in the light of modern literary theory, questioning whether he was an artist before his time.
Publisher
Topics
FAQ
What is “Laurence Sterne” about?
Who is the author of “Laurence Sterne”?
When was “Laurence Sterne” published?
What is the ISBN for “Laurence Sterne”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
