The Written Word

I read all the time! Mostly history, or if it is a worthwhile one, a historic novel. Nothing is worse than reading a trashy romance novel. I would expect you would feel cheated of your time as you turn the last page.

But, fine literature, the first-rate novel, as we know it today, is a product of the 18th Century! Of course, there were stories before, but the genre that constitutes the modern NOVEL was developed in the 1700's.
Some of the literary geniuses who wrote these enduring works include Daniel Dafoe who wrote "Robinson Crusoe" in 1719; Samuel Richardson who penned "Pamela - Virtue Rewarded" in 1740; Henry Fielding, "The Story of Tom Jones" - 1749.

The NOVEL is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre goes back to medieval times. Novels are categorized into the following types, though within these general categories, there are sub-categories:

1) The EPISTOLARY, or a story written as a diary, letters, journal entries. The hero tells the story recalling events documented. Think of "Letters of a Portugese Nun".
2) The SENTIMENTAL, generally a love story. Think of "Pride and Prejudice".
3) The HISTORY, or historic novel, where the hero is interjected into the plot of actual, historic events. Think of "Mutiny on The Bounty".
4) The GOTHIC, the tale of horror, suspense, ghosts, paranormal. "Think "Frankenstein".
5) The LIBERTINE, an anti-establishment plot, includes eroticism. Think "Dangerous Liasions"
6) the BILDUNGSROMAN, or "coming of age" story, where the reader follows a young person through a life span, or at least a period in his life. Think "Jane Eyre".

Personally, my favorite Bildungsroman is the story of Harry Potter! I love how, book by book, Harry not only grows/ages physically, but becomes the hero we all love. He is noble, brave, selfless, and he triumphs!

But back to the NOVEL in the 18th Century. Of course, morality always plays a part. If you do bad, you are paid in kind. Sometimes immediately, sometimes later on, but there is always a price to pay for bad behavior. The tragic hero can suffer personal loss, or the loss of something or someone meaningful to him. Of course, this is character-building, which is one of the purposes of these books during that time. Today, the hero gets away with alot more, and if the plot is interesting, the adventure compelling, the leading character does not always have to be moral or upstanding. Too bad, because if there is nothing to learn (except how to get what you want), these stories do not endure. Classic literature always has something deep, and compelling to say about human nature, and the human condition.

Anyway, I am about to start book #18 of the Master and Commander series. There are 21 books in all, and Patrick O'Brian is a "master" when telling the tale of the British Naval Officer and his Naturalist Companion during the Napoleonic Wars, and their adventures at sea, in battles, and on land, discovering wonders of the natural world. It is fine literature, indeed! (I gather it is a bildungsroman, with Capt. Aubrey beginning as a master and commander, and by now, attaining the rank of admiral! I look forward to seeing what new adventures Capt. Aubrey and Dr. Maturin will encounter. I have them lovingly placed on my library shelves, and always look forward to the purchase of the next installment.

These stories are not easily read. O'Brian does not dumb-down the naval terms, but with each book, you learn how to "navigate" as it were, and the relationship between the characters is priceless. Give them a whirl!  You won't be disappointed!