Now in its eighth edition, Studying the Novelis an authoritative introduction to the study of the novel at undergraduate level. Updated throughout to explore more sub-genres of the novel, disability studies as a critical approach, and literatures of the apartheid in relation to world literature, the book also now includes a whole new chapter exploring the expansion and diversification of the canon studied to consider digital advances, the study of popular fiction genres, the graphic form, and children's literature. Providing a complete guide to studying the novel in one easy-to-read volume, the book covers: - The form of the novel - The history of the novel, from its earliest days to new electronic forms - Realism, modernism and postmodernism and contemporary fiction - Analysing fiction: narrative, character, structure, theme and dialogue - Critical approaches to studying the novel - Practical guidance on critical reading, secondary criticism, electronic resources and essay writing - Versions and adaptations Studying the Novelalso includes a number of features to help readers navigate the book and find key information quickly, including chapter summaries throughout, novel excerpts to illustrate theoretical and analytical concepts, a comprehensive glossary of terms and an historical timeline on the development of the novel, while annotated guides to further reading and discussion questions help students master the topics covered.