theguardian.com
Frank's "Novels of the 20th Century": A Critical Exploration
Edwin Frank's new book, tracing the evolution of the 20th-century novel from Dostoevsky to Sebald, reveals how the form adapted to the changing relationship between self and society, particularly after World War I, while expanding globally.
- How did World War I fundamentally alter the course of 20th-century novels, as reflected in Frank's analysis?
- Edwin Frank's new book offers a chronological exploration of 20th-century novels, starting with Dostoevsky and ending with Sebald, focusing on works that challenged conventional forms. He emphasizes how authors grappled with the changing relationship between self and society, reflected in the novel's evolution.
- What specific examples of authors or literary works demonstrate the novel's evolution as a hybrid form encompassing memoir, history, and myth?
- Frank examines how various authors responded to similar pressures, comparing diverse works like Colette's and Kipling's confessionals or Svevo's and Rhys's experimental novels. He highlights the novel's global spread, mentioning Achebe and Banti, alongside key American authors. The book emphasizes the novel as a hybrid form, blending memoir, history, and myth.
- What are the long-term implications of the self-reflexive nature of 20th-century novels, as identified by Frank, and how might it influence contemporary literature?
- Frank argues that 20th-century novelists were deeply affected by the Great War, impacting their works profoundly. The book explores how the novel's self-awareness and inherent flaws contributed to its evolution and enduring significance, influencing future literary trends. Frank's approach encourages readers to revisit and reinterpret classic novels.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing is overwhelmingly positive, praising Frank's erudition, insight, and engagement. The enthusiastic tone might overshadow potential limitations or criticisms of the book. The selection of bookends (Dostoevsky and Sebald) subtly frames the narrative to emphasize experimental and unconventional novels over other types.
Language Bias
The language used is largely positive and effusive, employing terms like "most engaging," "triumphant march," and "great gift." While conveying admiration, this enthusiastic tone lacks critical distance and could be interpreted as biased.
Bias by Omission
The review focuses heavily on European and a select few American writers, neglecting a broader representation of global literary contributions throughout the 20th century. While acknowledging a few non-European authors (Achebe, Banti), the scope remains limited, potentially misrepresenting the diverse landscape of 20th-century novels. This omission could mislead readers into believing European and select American authors solely defined the evolution of the novel form.
Gender Bias
The review primarily focuses on male authors, with only a few female writers mentioned. While there is no overt gendered language, the unbalanced representation could perpetuate gender bias in discussions of 20th-century literature.
Sustainable Development Goals
The book review highlights the importance of literature and literary criticism in shaping cultural understanding and intellectual growth. By exploring diverse literary works and their historical contexts, it implicitly promotes education and the appreciation of different cultural perspectives. The focus on challenging the novel form and exploring diverse narratives fosters critical thinking and understanding of societal changes.