Picaresque Narrative, Picaresque Fictions: A Theory and Research Guide

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Wicks has made a number of important contributions to the study of the picaresque. . . . Wicks's book does not attempt to answer all questions posed by the term, but it provides the most comprehensive view to date on the issues in the picaresque debate. The first third of the book deals with a consideration of the picaresque as a genre, the role of the picaresque in literary scholarship, the value of a modal approach, and the nature of picaresque narrative. The difficulties raised in the chapter on the picaresque mode, for example, indicate how this approach, despite its flaws, can illuminate texts and contribute to the critical process. The remainder of the book includes brief but perceptive analyses of more than 60 picaresque works, from Alonso, mozo de muchos amos to the Woody Allen film, Zelig. The metacritical thrust and the extensive bibliography make this a true `theory and research guide.' A must for public and academic libraries. Choice Picaresque fiction, according to Wicks, is neither a historical episode in the development of the novel nor merely a phenomenon in the social and literary history of Spain, although both are important manifestations of this essential narrative form. It is, he contends, universal narrative structure and theme. His book describes and defines picaresque narrative with careful attention paid to its historical development as a genre and its persistent appeal as an archetypal narrative structure. Beginning with a definition and discussion of the basic picaresque narrative structure and theme, Part I considers the origins and development of a specific type of picaresque narrative in sixteenth and seventeenth century Spain--the picaresque novel. This is followed by a history of the term and its various interpretations by critics over the years. He then proposes a genre-construct of picaresque narrative, followed by an extensive bibliography of critical works. Part II explores the usefulness of generic awareness in the act of reading by describing sixty specific works of fiction which collectively illustrate the full narrative spectrum of the picaresque mode.

Reviews

.,."All in all, Wicks has written a strong and useful book on a difficult subject. His approach continues the best in previous attempts and will open the way for future picaresque studies, which, to judge from the development of the critical and creative achievements of the genre, will be plentiful."-World Literature Today
. . . Wicks has written a strong and useful book on a difficult subject. His approach continues the best in previous attempts and will open the way for future picturesque studies, which, to judge from the development of the critical and creative achievements of genre, will be plentiful.-World Literature Today
...All in all, Wicks has written a strong and useful book on a difficult subject. His approach continues the best in previous attempts and will open the way for future picaresque studies, which, to judge from the development of the critical and creative achievements of the genre, will be plentiful.-World Literature Today
And as one would expect, there have been a number of books that attempt to define and analyze what is meant by the word picturesque, ' including this excellent study of the picturesque genre. . . . All in all, an excellent book, recommended for all libraries supporting collections in comparative literature.-A.L.B.R.
Wicks has made a number of important contributions to the study of the picaresque. His previous essays have sought ways of grouping and analyzing texts associated with a tradition that originated in 16th- and early 17th-century Spain (in such works as Lazarillo de Tormes, Guzman de Alfarache, and El Buscon) and whose definition remains problematic. Critics still ask themselves whether there is such a thing as the picaresque novel and which works should be included (and excluded) from the system. Wicks's book does not attempt to answer all questions posed by the term, but it provides the most comprehensive view to date on the issues in the picaresque debate. The first third of the book deals with a consideration of the picaresque as a genre, the role of the picaresque in literary scholarship, the value of a modal approach, and the nature of picaresque narrative. The difficulties raised in the chapter on the picaresque mode, for example, indicate how this approach, despite its flaws, can illuminate texts and contribute to the critical process. The remainder of the book includes brief but perceptive analyses of more than 60 picaresque works, from Alonso, mozo de muchos amos to the Woody Allen film Zelig. The metacritical thrust and the extensive bibliography make this a true theory and research guide." A must for all public and academic libraries.-Choice
..."All in all, Wicks has written a strong and useful book on a difficult subject. His approach continues the best in previous attempts and will open the way for future picaresque studies, which, to judge from the development of the critical and creative achievements of the genre, will be plentiful."-World Literature Today
." . . Wicks has written a strong and useful book on a difficult subject. His approach continues the best in previous attempts and will open the way for future picturesque studies, which, to judge from the development of the critical and creative achievements of genre, will be plentiful."-World Literature Today
"And as one would expect, there have been a number of books that attempt to define and analyze what is meant by the word picturesque, ' including this excellent study of the picturesque genre. . . . All in all, an excellent book, recommended for all libraries supporting collections in comparative literature."-A.L.B.R.
"Wicks has made a number of important contributions to the study of the picaresque. His previous essays have sought ways of grouping and analyzing texts associated with a tradition that originated in 16th- and early 17th-century Spain (in such works as Lazarillo de Tormes, Guzman de Alfarache, and El Buscon) and whose definition remains problematic. Critics still ask themselves whether there is such a thing as the picaresque novel and which works should be included (and excluded) from the system. Wicks's book does not attempt to answer all questions posed by the term, but it provides the most comprehensive view to date on the issues in the picaresque debate. The first third of the book deals with a consideration of the picaresque as a genre, the role of the picaresque in literary scholarship, the value of a modal approach, and the nature of picaresque narrative. The difficulties raised in the chapter on the picaresque mode, for example, indicate how this approach, despite its flaws, can illuminate texts and contribute to the critical process. The remainder of the book includes brief but perceptive analyses of more than 60 picaresque works, from Alonso, mozo de muchos amos to the Woody Allen film Zelig. The metacritical thrust and the extensive bibliography make this a true theory and research guide." A must for all public and academic libraries."-Choice

Author Bio

ULRICH WICKS is Associate Professor of English at the University of Maine, where he has also served as department chair and directed the Honors Program. His previous publications include articles on the picaresque in PMLA, Genre, Mosaic, and College Literature Don Quixote in Approaches to Teaching Cervantes' Don Quixote (Modern Language Association, 1984) and on film and fiction in The Rhetoric Review, Literature/Film Quarterly, and Narrative Strategies: Original Essays in Film and Prose Fiction.