The Modern Novel: A Short Introduction (Blackwell Introductions to Literature)

Rating:
Summary: A near perfect book.
Review: Beautifully written. With the breadth, depth and insight of a great professor, Matz boils down complex ideas and movements to their most fundimental components, and presents them in a conversational style that somehow preserves the fascination of the original concept while being easy-to-read.
In this book, I found myself delighted by several "eureka!!" moments...where Matz answers or asks an important question in a way that makes sense on an intuitive and intellectual level. It is exciting to read someone this gifted.
I would also recommend this author's (more specialist) text on Literary Impressionism.