The major claim made by this study is that early modern English prose fiction self-consciously invented a new form of literary culture in which professional writers created books to be printed and sold to anonymous readers. It further claims that this period's narrative innovations emerged not solely from changes in early modern culture like print and the book market, but also from the rediscovery of a forgotten late classical text from North Africa, Heliodorus's Aethiopian History. In making these claims, Steve Mentz ...
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The major claim made by this study is that early modern English prose fiction self-consciously invented a new form of literary culture in which professional writers created books to be printed and sold to anonymous readers. It further claims that this period's narrative innovations emerged not solely from changes in early modern culture like print and the book market, but also from the rediscovery of a forgotten late classical text from North Africa, Heliodorus's Aethiopian History. In making these claims, Steve Mentz provides a comprehensive historicist and formalist account of prose romance, the most important genre of Elizabethan fiction. He explores how authors and publishers of prose fiction in late sixteenth-century England produced books that combined traditional narrative forms with a dynamic new understanding of the relationship between text and audience. Though prose fiction would not dominate English literary culture until the eighteenth century, Mentz demonstrates that the form began to invent itself as a distinct literary kind in England nearly two centuries earlier. Examining the divergent but interlocking careers of Robert Greene, Sir Philip Sidney, Thomas Lodge, and Thomas Nashe, Mentz traces how through differing commitments to print culture and their respective engagements with Heliodoran romance, these authors helped make the genre of prose fiction culturally and economically viable in England. Mentz explores how the advent of print and the book market changed literary discourse, influencing new conceptions of what he calls 'middlebrow' narrative and new habits of reading and writing. This study draws together three important strains of current scholarly inquiry: the history of the book and print culture, the study of popular fiction, and the re-examination of genre and influence. It also connects early modern fiction with longer histories of prose fiction and the rise of the modern novel.
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Seller's Description:
Very good in very good dust jacket. Ex-library. Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. 261 p. Contains: Illustrations. Audience: General/trade. LCCN 2005012363 Type of material Book Personal name Mentz, Steve. Main title Romance for sale in early modern England: the rise of prose fiction / Steve Mentz. Published/Created Aldershot, Hants, England; Burlington, VT: Ashgate, 2006. Description x, 261 p. : ill.; 24 cm. ISBN 0754654699 (alk. paper) LC classification PR836. M46 2006 Contents Early modern romance and the middlebrow reader--Heliodorus and early modern literary culture--Anti-epic traditions: Sidney's new Arcadia--Anti-epic traditons: Greene's romances--The Homer of women: Greene and the novella--Fictions of nostalgia: Lodge versus Greene--Dishonest romance: Greene and Nashe. LC Subjects Heliodorus, of Emesa--Appreciation--England. Heliodorus, of Emesa. Aethiopica. English fiction--Early modern, 1500-1700--History and criticism. Fiction--Appreciation--England--History--16th century. Fiction--Appreciation--England--History--17th century. Books and reading--England--History--16th century. Books and reading--England--History--17th century. Romances--Adaptations. Notes Includes bibliographical references (p. 221-252) and index. Dewey class no. 823/.0850903 Geographic area code e-uk-en e-uk---
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Good. Sticker on cover. Ships from UK in 48 hours or less (usually same day). Your purchase helps support Sri Lankan Children's Charity 'The Rainbow Centre'. Ex-library, so some stamps and wear, but in good overall condition. May contain underlining and/or highlighting. 100% money back guarantee. We are a world class secondhand bookstore based in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom and specialize in high quality textbooks across an enormous variety of subjects. We aim to provide a vast range of textbooks, rare and collectible books at a great price. Our donations to The Rainbow Centre have helped provide an education and a safe haven to hundreds of children who live in appalling conditions. We provide a 100% money back guarantee and are dedicated to providing our customers with the highest standards of service in the bookselling industry.
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New. Intended for college/higher education audience. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
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New. Intended for college/higher education audience. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
