The Poetics of Quotation in the European Novel

The book offers a fresh perspective on the history and poetics of the novel, highlighting the interplay of seriousness and playfulness in literature. Emil Staiger praises the author for his engaging style and deep knowledge. It explores the art of quoting in works by Rabelais, Cervantes, and Sterne, and examines the evolution of these techniques through six significant novelists, from Wieland to Thomas Mann, showcasing their contributions to literary scholarship.