Back Again to the History of Novels

The history of the novel, part two

As I’ve been researching I’ve found that the history of novels is still more complicated than I had previously supposed.  Here is a summary of what I’ve found.

As we discussed in class, biographies are an important and ancient part of literature.  The first Western biography happened to be an autobiography, as we discussed in class, Confessions by Saint Augustine takes the reader through the early part of the Bishop’s life, from his childhood until his conversion to Christianity and subsequent baptism at the age of 33. 

The First Novel

Romance, travel, encounters with the supernatural, and a hero so perfect he seemed to belong in a bygone age.

                                                                                                                          

Romances

I’ve found something I really enjoy to write about this week, and I personally feel like it’s germane to the topic. Like many in this class, I’m sure, I love reading.  It’s one of my favorite pastimes; I can easily spend hours curled up with a good book.  Who doesn’t look forward to cold, stormy winter days when you can sit by the fire and read à volonté?  Okay…so maybe I’m a little unique.  Still, I’m betting most of us love a good book.

I'm reading a book, that's what I'm doing!
credit to: xkcd.com