The art of fiction

Name: The art of fiction
Author: Walter Besant

By Walter Besant

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About This Book

A lecture argues that fiction should be regarded as a fine art equal to painting, music, and poetry, governed by general laws that can be taught yet dependent on innate gifts; it examines public misconceptions that reduce the novelist to a mere storyteller, outlines three causes of that undervaluation—absence of official honours, amateur belief in intuition, and lack of institutional recognition—and defends the seriousness of fiction while describing its antiquity, ubiquity, moral influence, and unique power as a means of teaching and shaping popular belief.

About the Author

Walter Besant

Walter Besant was a British novelist and historian, known for his vivid portrayals of London and its social conditions. His works often explore themes of social reform and the lives of the working class. Among his notable titles is "All Sorts and Conditions of Men: An Impossible Story," which critiques the disparities of Victorian society. Besant's writing is characterized by a blend of fiction and social commentary, making significant contributions to the literary heritage of the late 19th century. He was also involved in various philanthropic efforts and was a prominent figure in the promotion of literature and the arts.