The life and opinions of tristram shandy

18th-century british satire, experimental narrative, and literary humor

Laurence Sterne

418 pages, parution le 07/05/2025

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« The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy » by Laurence Sterne is a groundbreaking 18th-century novel that defies conventional storytelling through its digressive structure and self-aware humor. Sternes protagonist, Tristram, attempts to narrate his life story but becomes entangled in absurd tangents-from debates on obstetrics to the eccentricities of his uncle Toby, a retired soldier obsessed with recreating historical battles. The works fragmented timeline, typographical experiments (including blank pages and marbled sheets), and metafictional asides challenge readers to reconsider the boundaries of narrative form. At its core, the novel blends satire with sentimentalism, mocking Enlightenment rationality while celebrating human idiosyncrasy. Scenes like Tristrams botched christening and Uncle Tobys courtship of Widow Wadman exemplify Sternes ability to find profundity in trivialities. The texts playful engagement with Lockes theories of associationism and its parody of biographical conventions cement its status as a precursor to modernist literature. Essential for enthusiasts of British satire and experimental fiction, this volume remains a touchstone for discussions on narrative innovation and the interplay between humor and philosophical inquiry.