A History of the French Novel, Vol. 1
From the Beginning to 1800
George Saintsbury, the prolific critic and historian of literature, published A History of the French Novel in two volumes in 1917 and 1919, and this first volume runs from the beginnings to 1800. It starts with the medieval romances on the matters of France, Rome and Britain, the romans d'aventures, fabliaux and early prose tales, then moves to Rabelais and his successors, the pastoral and heroic romances of the seventeenth century, La Princesse de Clèves, Lesage, Marivaux, Prévost, the novels of the philosophes and the fiction of sensibility. Saintsbury writes as an enthusiastic and opinionated reader who had gone through the books themselves, and his digressive, conversational style makes even the obscurer chapters of this long story readable. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
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Frequently asked questions about A History of the French Novel, Vol. 1
A History of the French Novel, Vol. 1 by George Saintsbury can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read A History of the French Novel, Vol. 1 online?
Yes. A History of the French Novel, Vol. 1 opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is A History of the French Novel, Vol. 1 free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of A History of the French Novel, Vol. 1 is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is A History of the French Novel, Vol. 1 in the public domain?
Yes. A History of the French Novel, Vol. 1 by George Saintsbury is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read A History of the French Novel, Vol. 1?
About 12 h 52 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is A History of the French Novel, Vol. 1?
A History of the French Novel, Vol. 1 by George Saintsbury is filed under "Fiction" in the Vinteuil library.
