Tristram Shandy

ebook: Tristram Shandy

Sprache - Englisch

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About the eBook

Within the pages of 'Tristram Shandy,' Laurence Sterne gleefully abandons the strictures of conventional narrative, delivering a text that is as much about its own whimsical mode of storytelling as it is about its titular character. Framed as an autobiographical account, it challenges the reader with a labyrinthine structure, notable for its frequent digressions, playful double entendre, and innovative typographical play. Sterne's work exists comfortably within the context of 18th-century literature as a prodigious example of metafiction, interrogating the very act of writing and reading through its nonlinear chronology and self-referential humor. It stands, even centuries later, as a novel ahead of its time, embarking on philosophical tangents and character studies that deftly turn domestic trivialities into vehicles for wit and profound observation.

Laurence Sterne emerges in 'Tristram Shandy' as an author unafraid of flouting tradition, bringing to the work an irreverent and original voice that reflects the complex mores and intellectual ferment of the Enlightenment period. His career, initially grounded in the clerical profession, did not hinder his turn to literary endeavours; rather, Sterne's sermons and his concern with the human condition informed the nuanced, intricately woven tapestry of character and satire that defines his magnum opus. It is a book informed by a lifetime of keen observation and reflection on the sundry faces of society, channeled through the prism of Sterne's inimitable style.

For the erudite reader seeking a novel that provides an inventive exploration of life, literature, and human folly, 'Tristram Shandy' is unparalleled. Its standing as one of the greats of the English literary canon, heralded by thinkers such as Schopenhauer, is a testament to its enduring complexity and charm. Sterne's mastery offers a reading experience filled with laughter, a searing wit, and a depth of insight that invites—perhaps requires—multiple readings to fully appreciate its layers. It is a work to be savored, its legacy as vibrant today as it was upon its 18th-century release.


About the Author

Laurence Sterne (1713-1768) was an Irish-born English novelist and clergyman, renowned for his innovative literary style and his masterful exploration of the narrative form. Widely celebrated for his principal work, 'The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman', Sterne played with authorial voice, narrative structure, and typographic eccentricity to a degree that was profoundly unconventional for the 18th century. 'Tristram Shandy', published in nine volumes between 1759 and 1767, is considered a forerunner of modernist and postmodernist narrative techniques, with its digressive plot, self-aware narration, and playful meta-fictional elements. The significance of this work lies not just in the narrative content but in Sterne's manipulation of the novel form itself, which challenged traditional notions of linear storytelling and anticipated later avant-garde fiction. Aside from 'Tristram Shandy', Sterne's other notable work includes 'A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy' (1768), which similarly displayed his idiosyncratic narrative charm and emotive style. Despite a relatively small oeuvre, Sterne's influence persists in literary circles, and his works remain vital reading for those interested in the evolution of the English novel.

Product Details

Publisher: DigiCat

Genre: Sprache - Englisch

Language: English

Size: 843 Pages

Filesize: 1.3 MB

ISBN: 8596547393092

Published: