The Novel: An Anthology of Criticism and Theory 1900-2000 is a comprehensive collection of the most influential writings on the theory of the novel from the twentieth century. This volume charts the invention of novel theory as a field, its rise to prominence within literary studies, and the expansion of its influence into interdisciplinary theories of society, politics and culture.
The anthology is broad in scope, featuring sections on formalism; the Chicago School; structuralism and narratology; deconstruction; psychoanalysis; Marxism; social discourse; gender; post-colonialism; and more. Critical introductions to each section help students to see connections between different schools of thought. Other aids to study include a volume introduction, a selected bibliography, a comprehensive index, and short author biographies. Whole essays or chapters are included wherever possible.

The anthology as a whole encourages students to approach theoretical texts with confidence, applying the same skills they bring to literary texts.