Description
Book SynopsisEighteenth-century philosophy owes much to the early novel. Using the figure of the romance reader this book tells a new story of eighteenth-century reading. The impressionable mind and mutable identity of the romance reader haunt eighteenth-century definitions of the self, and the seductions of fiction insist on making an appearance in philosophy.
Trade Review'Novel Minds delivers a nuanced understanding of the instabilities and uncertainties of the consciousness shaped by reading imagined in eighteenth-century philosophy and narrative prose. In a lively and engaging style, Tierney-Hynes brings the writings of significant writers into interesting conversation with each other.' - Ros Ballaster, Professor of 18th Century Studies, University of Oxford, UK
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction: From Passions to Language: The Transformation of the Imagination Locke: Metaphorical Romances Behn: Romance from the Stage to the Letter Shaftesbury: Conversation and the Psychology of Romance Hume: Reading Romances, Writing the Self Richardson: How to Read Romance Notes Bibliography Index
