The Novel (1991)

by James A. Michener

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In this riveting, ambitious novel from James A. Michener, the renowned chronicler of epic history turns his extraordinary imagination to a world he knew better than anyone: the world of books. Lukas Yoder, a novelist who has enjoyed a long, successful career, has finished what he believes to be his final work. Then a tragedy strikes in his community, and he becomes obsessed with writing about it. Meanwhile, Yoder's editor fights to preserve her integrity--and her author--as her firm becomes the target of a corporate takeover; a local critic who teaches literature struggles with his ambitions and with his feelings about Yoder's success; and a devoted reader holds the key to solving the mystery that haunts Yoder's hometown. nbsp; Praise for The Novel nbsp; "Michener explores some of the deepest issues raised by narrative literature."--The New York Times nbsp; "A good, old-fashioned, sink-your-teeth-into-it story . . . The Novel lets us see an unfamiliar side of the author, at the same time portraying the delicate, complex relationship among editors, agents and writers."--The Philadelphia Inquirer nbsp; "Michener loves literature, and his information about some of his favorite reading is almost as alluring as his explanation of how to handle a manuscript."--Associated Press nbsp; "So absorbing you simply will not want [it] to end."--Charleston News & Courier… (more)

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This is not the typical Michener book. Basically this is a book about writing and publishing a book as told by a variety of characters. Frist - the writer: Lucas Yoder, a Mennonite writer in Pennsylvania who has achieved much success with his stories set in Pennsylvania Dutch country. Second, Yvonne Marmette, his editor in New York City. Yvonne's back story involves a troubled marriage during a rising career. Third, the critic - Karl Streibert, a young man also from the Pennsylvania Dutch country who achieves success as a literary professor and critic in nearby Mecklenbery College. Lastly, Jane Garland, an elderly wealthy woman who loves Yoder's books and is a benefactor at the college.

The idea of reading the back story of these people was really good - what I didn't like was a murder of Jane's very talented grandson thrown in during the last chapter.

I felt much of this book was to explain the process of writing and publishing which was interesting and most of the characters were believable. The author just got off line during the last section by trying to pull too much together. Still a pretty good read with lots of references to literature and authors. (

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maryreinert | Aug 26, 2022 |

Confession time... this was my first James Michener book. I learned of it while reading 'WILD' by Cheryl Strayed. It was even more intriguing when I read the New York Time and Los Angeles Times reviews of this book when it was published. It was not considered a literary find - actually they said the dialogue was quite disappointing. While I will agree there were parts of the books that I didn't feel were up to the caliber that I would expect from an award winning writer, I am glad he wrote it and that I read it. The book is broken up into four segments and allows you into the mind of the author, the publisher, the critic, and the reader.

It is an easy read and enjoyable enough. Give it a spin especially if you are interested in uncovering and exploring other possible writers or writing styles discussed in the novel.

I have placed one of James Michener's other books in my reading list, I will be interested to explore the difference in the style. (

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Jolene.M | Jul 30, 2020 |

Anyone who loves reading books needs to read this. For some time now, in addition to reading books the normal way, I've been listening to one novel or another on tape (the full, unabridged versions rented from Books On Tape) in the car going to and from work. I don't know why, but I haven't reviewed any of them here. But, this one was so outstanding that I couldn't not tell you about it. Michener tells the tale in the early 90's in four parts - the first is the perspective of the novel author, then the editor. The third part is the literary critic and the fourth is the reader. Each is a fully developed character and story on it's own but they all weave together. The end result articulates perfectly why my life would be so flat and impoverished without books. (

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susandennis | Jun 5, 2020 |

I'd never read a Michener book (each of them so thick, so daunting) until now, at the suggestion of Cheryl Strayed who noted in her memoir, "Wild" that she carried this book all along the Pacific Coast Trail. That's high praise.

This novel is an inside-the-industry book — a quick, engaging story offering points of view from The Writer, The Editor, The Critic, The Reader.

And it's not 1000 pages. (

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dcmr | Jul 4, 2017 |

[The Novel] by [James Michener] (my favorite author) was a bit of a disappointment. The novel was divided into 4ths: 1)writer 2) editor 3) critic 4( reader. The first, and shortest section, about the writer was ok reading. It was about the author, his life in the Pennsylvania Dutch community, his wife, his writing habits, etc. Section 2, about his editor, was so-so. Section 3, the critic, was long and boring. Quite frankly, became tired of reading about his homosexuality and summer trips to Greece. Section 4, which COULD have been good, about the reader, was too far removed from the common man, that it was just barely readable. It told the story of a reader, who was on the board of several colleges and could influence people with cocktail parties.....yawn. Only 3 stars (all my other Michener's have been 5 stars!) (

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Tess_W | Feb 1, 2015 |

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Chesapeake / The Novel / Poland / Space by James Michener

The Novel / Texas by James A. Michener

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New York Times bestseller (Fiction – 1991)

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The Novel

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Dresden, New Jersey, USA

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Epigraph

Dedication

To the Pennsylvania Dutch students who attended school with me

First words

This Tuesday morning, 3 October 1990, at half after ten, I typed the last sentence of the novel that will complete what the critics have taken to calling 'The Grenzler Octet,' as if I had planned from the beginning to write eight interrelated books on the same theme.

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The Novel

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In this riveting, ambitious novel from James A. Michener, the renowned chronicler of epic history turns his extraordinary imagination to a world he knew better than anyone: the world of books. Lukas Yoder, a novelist who has enjoyed a long, successful career, has finished what he believes to be his final work. Then a tragedy strikes in his community, and he becomes obsessed with writing about it. Meanwhile, Yoder's editor fights to preserve her integrity--and her author--as her firm becomes the target of a corporate takeover; a local critic who teaches literature struggles with his ambitions and with his feelings about Yoder's success; and a devoted reader holds the key to solving the mystery that haunts Yoder's hometown. nbsp; Praise for The Novel nbsp; "Michener explores some of the deepest issues raised by narrative literature."--The New York Times nbsp; "A good, old-fashioned, sink-your-teeth-into-it story . . . The Novel lets us see an unfamiliar side of the author, at the same time portraying the delicate, complex relationship among editors, agents and writers."--The Philadelphia Inquirer nbsp; "Michener loves literature, and his information about some of his favorite reading is almost as alluring as his explanation of how to handle a manuscript."--Associated Press nbsp; "So absorbing you simply will not want [it] to end."--Charleston News & Courier

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