Novel Machine

Introduction

James Wood's The Machine of Fiction is a brilliant exploration of the magic of fiction. This leading contemporary critic takes readers deep into the mechanics of how stories work, asking fundamental questions: What do we mean when we say we "know" a fictional character? What constitutes the details of a story? What is a successful metaphor? Is realism realistic? Why do some literary techniques go out of fashion while others remain relevant?

From Homer's Iliad to Make Way for Ducklings, from the Bible to John le Carré, James Wood draws on a wide range of sources, making The Machine of Fiction not only a masterpiece of studying the fictional techniques of novels, but also an alternative history of novels.

This book is a reprint, incorporating the supplementary parts of the new English translation (including a new preface), and revising the previously published chapters. The format design and cover design have also been completely updated.