Best way to approach studying a novel?

Firstly, it is imperative that the book is read more than once. You cannot begin to study a novel in depth having read it only once. In my advice, I would read the novel once first as a reader, not an English literature student. This helps you get a true feel for the plot and characters and also allows you to enjoy a book that you will soon know back to front. The second time reading through the novel would be when I would begin to make notes ; ideally at the end of each chapter. This helps to summarise key events, and keep track of characters. By the end of this you will easily, have an extensive knowledge of what actually happens in the narrative.The key to studying a novel is to take it slowly. First learn the key events in the narrative, then make fact files for each character, understand the key themes and narrative arcs that run through the novel, moving on to look at the settings before finally finding quotes that can be used as EVIDENCE and that you know can be used time and time again.