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Laurence Sterne (1713-68)
Who?
Innovator who invented the 'stream of consciousness' style of writing and parodied the conventions of the newly born novel. Arguably, he was a postmodernist avant la lettre because he subverted narrative and avoided plot and conclusive endings.
Must reads
Tristram Shandy (1759-67) and A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy (1767).
Darkest hour
In 1759, his political satire on church courts, The History of a Good Warm Watch Coat, was burned by the authorities. In the same year, his mother and uncle died, his wife had a mental breakdown and the first draft of Tristram Shandy was rejected by London printer Dodsley.
Greatest triumph
In 1760, Tristram Shandy was published, Sterne went to London and found himself famous. His portrait was painted by Joshua Reynolds and he was invited to court.
Essential quotes
'Pray, my dear,' quoth my mother, 'have you not forgot to wind up the clock?' (Tristram Shandy)
'Our armies swore terribly in France,' cried my uncle Toby, – 'but nothing [compared] to this.' (Tristram Shandy)
'Said my mother, 'what is all this story about?' – 'A Cock and a Bull,' said Yorick'. (Tristram Shandy)
'They order, said I, this matter better in France.' (A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy)
Gossip
His married life (with Elizabeth Lumley) was not happy and he diverted himself by playing the violin, painting, eating, drinking and whoring.
Did u know?
His dead body was stolen by grave-robbers, recognised in an anatomy lecture in Cambridge and returned to its grave.
Words of worth
The word 'shandy', of obscure origin, means 'crack-brained, half crazy'.
What to say
With his salacious wit, and joy in absurd parody, Sterne was a major influence on modernist literature and on art movements such as the French surrealists.
Don't say
I love Dr Johnson (who really didn't like Sterne's work, saying, 'Nothing odd will do long. Tristram Shandy did not last.' Ah, but it did.)
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