Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents vii
3. Preface ix
4. Introduction 1
5. 1. Why Converse? 7
6. 2. Defining and Representing Conversation 20
7. 3. Food, Drink, and Conversation 37
8. 4. Bad Conversation 51
9. 5. Talking with the French 61
10. 6. Schools of Talk 81
11. 7. The Rise of the Novel—and Female Talk 121
12. 8. Conversation as Public Entertainment 134
13. 9. Conversation on Campus 148
14. 10. Shakespeare on Zoom 164
15. Conclusion 173
16. Coda 182
17. Bibliographical Essay 185
18. Index 199