Overview
We’re used to the novel being declared dead, dying, or endangered. Seemingly every few years, a critic will read it the last rites – yet the form remains more popular than ever with readers. In The Future of the Novel, author Simon Okotie presents a bold future for long-form fiction, and suggests its evolution is far from over.
Okotie begins by responding to and critiquing John Carruthers’ book Scheherezade, or The Future of the English Novel, published in 1927 as part of the ‘To-day and To-morrow’ series – the inspiration for our present-day FUTURES. He then cites others who have since meditated on the direction of the form: Henry James, D. H. Lawrence, William Burroughs, Anaïs Nin, Zadie Smith, and China Miéville, among others. In doing so, he also tells the story of the novel itself, from the realism of the 18th and 19th centuries, through the early stirrings of modernism with its focus on the ‘inner life’, right through to the abstraction and experimentation of 21st century postmodernism, and beyond.
All of which informs Okotie’s own future vision for the novel – one that extends even further into the reaches of the subconscious, and speculates on the uneasy role artifical intelligence will play in the coming decades.
The Future of The Novel is a rich and immersive portrait of an artform which, despite constant claims to the contrary, is more alive and exciting than ever.
This book title, The Future of the Novel, ISBN: 9781685891619, by Simon Okotie, published by Melville House (March 4, 2025) is available in paperback. Our minimum order quantity is 25 copies. All standard bulk book orders ship FREE in the continental USA and delivered in 4-10 business days.
Unlike Amazon and other retailers who may also offer The Future of the Novel books on their website, we specialize in large quantities and provide personal service, from trusted, experienced, friendly people in Portland, Oregon. We offer a Price Match Guarantee, and QuickQuote form, to make purchasing quick and easy.
Prefer to work with a human being when you order The Future of the Novel books in bulk? Our Book Specialists are standing by Monday-Friday 8-5 PST, ready to help!