
Prose, strictly defined, is the ordinary form of spoken or written language. Examples of solid prose are not difficult to come by: a well argued legal judgment, a lucid scientific paper, or a readily grasped set of technical instructions. Inspired prose, however, is a much rarer thing. In The New Oxford Book of English Prose, John Gross has gathered together those rare jewels of the English language that take plain prose to artistic heights.The pared-down style of Hemingway didnt happen overnight. Beginning with Sir Thomas Malory and ending with Kazuo Ishiguro, this anthology chronologically traces the evolution of prose, which gained confidence and extended its range in the late seventeenth century. It wasnt until the eighteenth century, however, that the ornate style of literary giants like Milton and Donne gave way to prose that was recognizably modern. The material included in this anthology is literary, but literary, as the editor states in the introduction, is not the narrow term that it is often made to beit embraces an enormous range of experience and response. The New Oxford Book of English Prose pays tribute to literatures vibrant diversity by offering glimpses of master craftsmanship from around the globe. Included here are excerpts from writers of such varied backgrounds as Salman Rushdie, Margaret Atwood, Vladimir Nabokov, and Mulk Raj Anand.From the eloquent political treatises of Burke to the bold narrative strokes of Herman Melville, readers will find that the selections contained within this volume superbly illustrate the expressive powers of prose.
What defines the evolution and artistic peak of English prose across five centuries? John J. Gross, a noted critic and editor, compiles this anthology to examine how ordinary language transforms into literary art. By selecting excerpts from the late medieval period to the contemporary era, he argues that prose is a dynamic, expansive medium that reflects the diversity of human experience and stylistic innovation.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Critics frequently cite this volume as a comprehensive and well-curated resource for students and enthusiasts of English literature. Scholars note that the selection process effectively balances canonical figures with a broader, more inclusive range of global voices.
Page Count:
1054
Publication Date:
1998-11-05
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0192142461
ISBN-13:
9780192142467
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