A History of the French Novel, Vol. 2 / To the Close of the 19th Century

Name: A History of the French Novel, Vol. 2 / To the Close of the 19th Century
Author: George Saintsbury

By George Saintsbury

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French Literature History - European

About This Book

The volume surveys the development of the French novel across the nineteenth century through critical portraits of major and lesser novelists, tracing shifts between romanticism, realism, naturalism, and popular sensation. It combines historical overview, aesthetic commentary, and selective close readings to illuminate authors' approaches to character, narrative method, and social themes, with sustained attention to figures from Chateaubriand and Stendhal to Balzac, Hugo, Dumas, Flaubert, Zola, Mérimée, and Maupassant. The tone balances judgment and impression, notes methodological limits in treating contemporary work, and emphasizes literary evolution rather than exhaustive documentation.

About the Author

George Saintsbury

George Saintsbury (1845-1933) was a prominent English literary critic, historian, and scholar, known for his extensive contributions to the study of literature. His works often explore the evolution of literary forms and styles, with notable titles including "A History of Elizabethan Literature" and "A History of the French Novel." Saintsbury's scholarship is characterized by a deep appreciation for the nuances of literary criticism and taste, as seen in his multi-volume series on European literary criticism. He also authored essays and manuals that reflect his expertise in English prosody and literature, making him a significant figure in the literary heritage of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.