[1] One of the main thrusts of this book is to challenge the established divisions within literary history, such as those between novels and romances,[2] ancient and modern works, realistic and fantastical narratives, and historical accounts and fictional creations.

However, the author flips this negative view around, full-circle, using Nietzsche's descriptions not to condemn the variety of cultures but to tout it as a model for inclusivity.

[1] Hence, Doody aims to challenge "parochial" (narrow) theories such as in Ian Watt's Rise of the Novel that have focused on a chosen time period or language.

[2][1] Ashley Brown, writing for the academic journal entitled The Comparatist, says that Dowdy incorrectly assumes that most students believe that the novel originated in 18th-century England.

[2] Peter New, writing for the academic journal entitled, The Modern Language Review, says that the examples of common tropes that Doody employs to advance her argument that the novel has a millennials long history does not succeed.