The art of fiction: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The art of fiction: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The art of fiction is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Besant, Walter (1836–1901).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The art of fiction by Walter Besant" is a lecture-essay on literary criticism and the craft of novel-writing from the late 19th century, in the Victorian era. It argues that fiction is a fine art equal to painting, sculpture, music, and poetry, and concisely sets out what storytellers should aim to do. The lecture advances three core claims: fiction is a true art; it is guided by general laws that can be learned; and, like other arts, it still requires innate talent. It defines fiction’s domain as humanity, praising its power to cultivate sympathy and to teach through selection, suppression, and suggestion. It lays down practical rules: rely on real observation and experience; keep human interest foremost; select only what advances character and story; present scenes dramatically; conceive characters clearly; believe wholly in the tale; and write with patient, finished style and a moral sense. It insists that story is indispensable, though invention cannot be taught, and urges studying the construction of great novels. An appendix offers direct advice to beginners on revising, seeking honest criticism, navigating publishers, and never paying to publish, closing with encouragement about the art’s present strength and future promise.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The art of fiction
- Author credits: Besant, Walter (1836–1901)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Fiction -- Technique
Gutenberg collections
- Category: British Literature
- Category: Essays, Letters & Speeches
- Category: How To ...
- Category: Journalism/Media/Writing
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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