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rebelqueen's review
4.0
This was a good overview of the conventions of the novel. It explores both classical and modern novels. Foster’s style is also light and funny, which makes this resource approachable.
spookysoto's review
3.0
Rating:2.5/5 It's ok
I read this book to be able to read more critically, and this offers advice on how to do it. It was very interesting at first but towards the middle and end it became very boring.
My biggest problem was the examples used, it limited to a few classic works I'm not familiar with, so it was difficult to fully grasp his teachings. I like the fact he put a short story at the end to serve as a practice for everything he talked about throughout the book.
I wish it had a broader scope regarding the novels and works discussed, and to not be limited to Usa and British works. I'd have loved to see him use modern literature and literature of around the world.
I read this book to be able to read more critically, and this offers advice on how to do it. It was very interesting at first but towards the middle and end it became very boring.
My biggest problem was the examples used, it limited to a few classic works I'm not familiar with, so it was difficult to fully grasp his teachings. I like the fact he put a short story at the end to serve as a practice for everything he talked about throughout the book.
I wish it had a broader scope regarding the novels and works discussed, and to not be limited to Usa and British works. I'd have loved to see him use modern literature and literature of around the world.
megob's review against another edition
3.25
Really well-written, with a fun, companionable voice. I got bogged down by a lot of the references though, there were just so many and I didn’t know most of them.
cdlindwall's review against another edition
3.0
I have a particular liking for books about books. It's always been a ~thing.
However, my strange inclinations aside, this book was nothing special. Every chapter proposed an obvious aspect of the novel, and its only redeeming aspect was the fact that he mentioned a lot of books he enjoyed as examples and thusly the entire text became a reading list of sorts. Other than that, it does not teach you how to Read Novels Like a Professor, except for obviously demonstrating that all professors (like Forester himself) read novels a bit like the rest of us, without setting too many strict rules on form, character, plot, and just letting the story come as it may.
I've heard his original, How to Read Literature like a Professor, was much much better, filled with unseen symbolism many authors employ, etc etc. Maybe I will read that one next, give Forester another shot.
However, my strange inclinations aside, this book was nothing special. Every chapter proposed an obvious aspect of the novel, and its only redeeming aspect was the fact that he mentioned a lot of books he enjoyed as examples and thusly the entire text became a reading list of sorts. Other than that, it does not teach you how to Read Novels Like a Professor, except for obviously demonstrating that all professors (like Forester himself) read novels a bit like the rest of us, without setting too many strict rules on form, character, plot, and just letting the story come as it may.
I've heard his original, How to Read Literature like a Professor, was much much better, filled with unseen symbolism many authors employ, etc etc. Maybe I will read that one next, give Forester another shot.
feebeecamille's review against another edition
3.0
I picked up this book because lately I've been feeling that I've been reading for speed and not truly appreciating the novels. I've read a few literary novels this year and was wondering if I was missing out on some of the depth. Also, I am a nerd that loves learning.
This was surprisingly easy book to read. I enjoyed learning about the history of the novel and the brief overview of different time periods and their corresponding writing styles (Victorian, modern, post-modern). I liked how the author conveyed that everyone will have a unique reaction to a novel and will interpret it in his own way. Also, that this is fine, make peace with it.
Overall, this book did what I hoped it would do. I think that I will be able to appreciate the structure of novels in an improved way.
This was surprisingly easy book to read. I enjoyed learning about the history of the novel and the brief overview of different time periods and their corresponding writing styles (Victorian, modern, post-modern). I liked how the author conveyed that everyone will have a unique reaction to a novel and will interpret it in his own way. Also, that this is fine, make peace with it.
Overall, this book did what I hoped it would do. I think that I will be able to appreciate the structure of novels in an improved way.
creolelitbelle's review against another edition
5.0
How to Read Novels Like a Professor was a heavier read than its predecessor, How to Read Literature Like a Professor. By "heavier" I mean its depth, not the length. Foster guides you in how to read novels, clearly, but the lecture-type style of the book through its chapters is conversational and entertaining for the most part. The depth comes in how detailed he breaks novels down, as he explains not only how to read the literary form but why it's written the way it is … or in some cases, the way it's not written. I do highly recommend this book but savor it, ponder the ideas Foster presents to best learn from him.
jberryedits's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
Mostly felt like having an interesting conversation with someone about literature. I didn't learn much I didn't know, and it dragged in after the first half. However, there were moments throughout that kept me interested.