Tristram Shandy (novel)

*Tristram Shandy* is a humorous and inventive 18th-century novel by Laurence Sterne that plays with traditional storytelling. It tells the life story of Tristram, but the narrative often digresses, using playful language, commentary, and unconventional structure. The novel explores themes of memory, identity, and the nature of storytelling itself, often breaking the fourth wall and engaging readers directly. Its quirky style and experimental approach challenge typical novel formats, making it a pioneering work that blends comedy, philosophical reflection, and innovative narrative techniques.