Masters of the English Novel: A Study of Principles and Personalities

'Masters of the English Novel' by Richard Burton is a fascinating study of the evolution of the novel. The book examines the works of various writers, including Jane Austen, Dickens, George Eliot, and Thackeray, and explores the two main ways of looking at life in fiction - the realistic and romantic movements. Burton takes the reader on a journey through the eighteenth-century beginnings of the novel, the development of realism, and the impact of French influence on modern novel-making. With insightful analysis and engaging prose, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of English literature.