Introduction

Since its inception in the late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the novel in English has become the dominant literary form in our culture. Critical analysis of the novel lies at the heart of modern literary scholarship and theory. The Centre for The Novel at the University of Aberdeen has been created to promote the study of novels, novelists, and novelistic traditions, and the investigation of narrative theory and practice. Through symposia, conferences, visiting fellowships and postgraduate teaching and research, the Centre will explore the regional, national and international significance of the novel as an art form, and address such general topics as subjectivity and identity, medical theory and fiction, aesthetics, print culture, the sociology of reading, mass and elite fiction, and issues of nation, class, race and gender.
           The highlight of our 2010-11 programme was a visit from the internationally renowned Canadian Novelist Margaret Atwood. During her visit Ms Atwood gave a reading, chaired by Jeannette King and was interviewed by Janet Todd. 600 people attended each of these events.