Daniel Defoe: Master of Fictions: His Life and Ideas by Maximillian E. Novak offers an insightful exploration into the life and literary innovations of Daniel Defoe, the pioneering English novelist and journalist. Novak delves deep into Defoe’s multifaceted career, unraveling how his extensive experiences in commerce, politics, and espionage informed the vivid realism of his narratives. The book highlights Defoe’s groundbreaking narrative techniques and his keen ability to blend fact and fiction, which paved the way for the modern novel. This study not only celebrates Defoe’s most famous work, Robinson Crusoe, but also examines his lesser-known writings, illuminating the complexity of his ideas about society, economics, and human resilience. Novak's scholarly yet accessible treatment makes this an essential read for those interested in the origins of fictional storytelling and the enduring influence of Defoe’s literary legacy.
Daniel Defoe: Master of Fictions: His Life and Ideas by Maximillian E. Novak offers an insightful exploration into the life and literary innovations of Daniel Defoe, the pioneering English novelist and journalist. Novak delves deep into Defoe’s multifaceted career, unraveling how his extensive experiences in commerce, politics, and espionage informed the vivid realism of his narratives. The book highlights Defoe’s groundbreaking narrative techniques and his keen ability to blend fact and fiction, which paved the way for the modern novel. This study not only celebrates Defoe’s most famous work, Robinson Crusoe, but also examines his lesser-known writings, illuminating the complexity of his ideas about society, economics, and human resilience. Novak's scholarly yet accessible treatment makes this an essential read for those interested in the origins of fictional storytelling and the enduring influence of Defoe’s literary legacy.
Oxford University Press, 2001 softcover, first edition. Copy has some shelf wear, please see photos, otherwise a very good copy in very good condition
