A highly original and intelligent investigation of the novel from celebrated writer and "gentle genius" E. M. Forster E. M. Forster's renowned guide to writing sparkles with wit and insight for contemporary writers and readers. With lively language and excerpts from well-known classics, Forster takes on the seven elements vital to a novel: story, people, plot, fantasy, prophecy, pattern, and rhythm. He not only defines and explains such terms as "round" versus "flat" characters (and why both are needed for an effective novel), but also provides examples of writing from such literary greats as Dickens and Austen. Forster's original commentary illuminates and entertains without lapsing into complicated, scholarly rhetoric, coming together in a key volume on writing that avoids chronology and what he calls "pseudoscholarship."
E.M. Forster
E.M. Forster was a British novelist and essayist known for his insightful social commentary and exploration of human relationships. His most notable works include "A Passage to India," "Howards End," and "A Room with a View." Forster's writing style is characterized by its clarity, wit, and empathy towards his characters. He is credited with pioneering the psychological novel and challenging traditional British social norms. "A Passage to India" is considered his masterpiece, tackling themes of colonialism, race, and cultural misunderstanding. Forster's works continue to be celebrated for their timeless relevance and profound exploration of human nature.