Arnold Kettle – författare

First published in 1951, the two volumes of An Introduction to the English Novel discuss how and why the novel developed in England in the eighteenth century. The books look at the function and background of prose fiction, focusing its arguments around the study of carefully selected books that have had a significant impact on its development. The author examines the progress in the long struggle of the novelist to see life steadily and whole, and points out some of the problems and hazards that beset the writer still.

First published in 1951 (this edition in 1967), this book forms the first part of Arnold Kettle’s An Introduction to the English Novel. Since the novel, like every other literary form, is a product of history, the book opens with a discussion of how and why the novel developed in England in the eighteenth century, as well as the function and background of prose fiction. The third part of the book examines six great novels from Jane Austen to George Eliot.

‘A serious and rewarding study.’

The Times Literary Supplement

‘His examination of some eighteenth century writers and analysis of six famous novels- from Emma to Middlemarch- have wit, authority and a sensitivity that compel the reader’s attention.’

Dublin Magazine

First published in 1951 (this edition in 1967), this book forms the first part of Arnold Kettle’s An Introduction to the English Novel. Since the novel, like every other literary form, is a product of history, the book opens with a discussion of how and why the novel developed in England in the eighteenth century, as well as the function and background of prose fiction. The third part of the book examines six great novels from Jane Austen to George Eliot.

‘A serious and rewarding study.’

The Times Literary Supplement

‘His examination of some eighteenth century writers and analysis of six famous novels- from Emma to Middlemarch- have wit, authority and a sensitivity that compel the reader’s attention.’

Dublin Magazine

First published in 1953, this book forms the second part of Arnold Kettle’s An Introduction to the English Novel. In this second part, Kettle builds a discussion of the modern English novel around the study of various books that have a more than casual significance in its development. He begins with an analysis of James, Hardy and Butler: three late Victorian writers whose work points forward to the major preoccupations of twentieth-century novelists. In his discussion of a dozen or so of these points, the author examines their progress in the long struggle of the novelist to see life steadily and whole, and points out some of the problems and hazards that beset the writer still.

‘The selection both of novelists and their work is excellent… it is both shrewd and witty…’

The Times Literary Supplement

‘Altogether this is a refreshing, challenging and original work, wholly adult in tone, and never pedantic or dull’

The Guardian

First published in 1953, this book forms the second part of Arnold Kettle’s An Introduction to the English Novel. In this second part, Kettle builds a discussion of the modern English novel around the study of various books that have a more than casual significance in its development. He begins with an analysis of James, Hardy and Butler: three late Victorian writers whose work points forward to the major preoccupations of twentieth-century novelists. In his discussion of a dozen or so of these points, the author examines their progress in the long struggle of the novelist to see life steadily and whole, and points out some of the problems and hazards that beset the writer still.

‘The selection both of novelists and their work is excellent… it is both shrewd and witty…’

The Times Literary Supplement

‘Altogether this is a refreshing, challenging and original work, wholly adult in tone, and never pedantic or dull’

The Guardian