Technologies of the Novel: Quantitative Data and the Evolution of Literary Systems

This book argues that the novel is a system in constant flux, made up of artifacts that rise and fall, with traceable origins and adoption. It provides a new way of understanding the history and evolution of artforms, looking at the novel as a patterned system.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 215 pages
\n Publication date: 19 November 2020
\n Publisher: Cambridge University Press
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This book, based on a comprehensive sampling of nearly 2000 French and English novels from 1601 to 1830, sets out to explore the intricate evolution of the novel in a way that challenges prevailing scholarly narratives. Contrary to the notion that the novel has merely risen over the past sixty years, the author argues that the novel is a dynamic system characterized by constant flux. Rather than a linear progression, the novel comprises a collection of artifacts, each with its own distinct characteristics, that rise and fall over time. These artifacts, according to Nicholas D. Paige, can be likened to technological innovations, each with its own historical origins and requiring a period of adoption (at the expense of existing technologies) before eventually being abandoned. Similar to technological waves in other domains, the rise and fall of novelistic technologies do not occur automatically; rather, writers invent and adopt literary artifacts for a wide range of reasons.

By examining the novel as a patterned system, the author offers a compelling new perspective on the history and evolution of artforms. This approach shifts the focus from individual works to the broader patterns and trends that emerge within the novel. It reveals the complex interplay between writers, readers, and the social and cultural contexts in which the novel was produced. Through this lens, the book sheds light on the ways in which the novel has responded to changing societal needs, technological advancements, and artistic innovations, and how it has shaped the development of literature as a whole.

In conclusion, this book provides a groundbreaking exploration of the evolution of the novel, challenging traditional narratives and offering a fresh perspective on the literary landscape. By examining the novel as a system in constant flux, the author reveals the complex interplay between artifacts, writers, and the broader cultural context, providing a valuable contribution to the study of literature and art.

\n Weight: 670g\n
Dimension: 177 x 251 x 25 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781108835503\n \n