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The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman
1759–1767 novel by Laurence Sterne / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, also known as Tristram Shandy, is a novel by Laurence Sterne, inspired by Don Quixote. It was published in nine volumes, the first two appearing in 1759, and seven others following over the next seven years (vols. 3 and 4, 1761; vols. 5 and 6, 1762; vols. 7 and 8, 1765; vol. 9, 1767). It purports to be a biography of the eponymous character. Its style is marked by digression, double entendre, and graphic devices. The first edition was printed by Ann Ward on Coney Street, York.
![]() "The Smoking Batteries": Trim, Toby's corporal, invents a device for firing multiple miniature cannons at once, based on a hookah. Unfortunately, he and Toby find the puffing on the hookah pipe so enjoyable that they keep setting the cannons off. Illustration by George Cruikshank. | |
Author | Laurence Sterne |
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Language | English |
Genre | Novel |
Publisher | Ann Ward (vol. 1–2), Dodsley (vol. 3–4), Becket & DeHondt (vol. 5–9) |
Publication date | December 1759 (vol. 1, 2) – January 1767 (vol 9) |
Publication place | Great Britain |
823.62 | |
LC Class | PR3714 .T7 |
Text | The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman at Wikisource |
Website | Page at the Sterne Trust website |
Sterne had read widely, which is reflected in Tristram Shandy. Many of his similes, for instance, are reminiscent of the works of the metaphysical poets of the 17th century,[1] and the novel as a whole, with its focus on the problems of language, has constant regard for John Locke's theories in An Essay Concerning Human Understanding.[2] Arthur Schopenhauer called Tristram Shandy one of "the four immortal romances".[3]
While the use of the narrative technique of stream of consciousness is usually associated with modernist novelists, Tristram Shandy has been suggested as a precursor.[4]