Now in its seventh edition, Studying the Novel is an authoritative introduction to the study of the novel at undergraduate level. Updated throughout to reflect the profound impact of e-reading and digital resources on the contemporary study of literature, the book also now includes a wider range of international examples to reflect the growing field of world literature. Providing a complete guide to studying the novel in one easy-to-read volume, the book covers: * The form of the novel * The history of the novel, from its earliest days to new electronic forms * Realism, modernism and postmodernism * Analysing fiction: narrative, character, structure, theme and dialogue * Critical approaches to studying the novel * Practical guidance on critical reading, secondary criticism, electronic resources and essay writing * Versions and adaptations Studying the Novel also includes a number of features to help readers navigate the book and find key information quickly, including chapter summaries throughout, a comprehensive glossary of terms and an historical timeline on the development of the novel, while annotated guides to further reading and discussion questions help students master the topics covered.