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htoo's review
informative
medium-paced
3.0
This book should be call “A Little History of Literature in English.” Overall, it was an informative read. The author’s exaltation of English literature can be annoying at times. There’s a point where he called Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq) “the cradle of Western civilization.” Ironic considering merry old England helped invade said country. The chapters on empire and race are extremely lacking. That Philip Roth example was cringe. I wish the author would acknowledge that Shakespeare is known worldwide not because he is “great,” but because colonialism does a lot of the heavy lifting. End of rant.
arthurian's review
3.0
The title should have specified that it is a little history of English literature and not even all Anglophone countries at that.
It is a rather comprehensive introduction to English (that is from England) and American literatures, but what about the rest? Reading about Hugo or Dostoevsky in a paragraph or two in a book about the history of Literature is ludicrous at best.
Besides that, there were some factual mistakes regarding the lives of the Romantics and the Brontës, maybe there were regarding other authors as well but I couldn't notice them.
It is a rather comprehensive introduction to English (that is from England) and American literatures, but what about the rest? Reading about Hugo or Dostoevsky in a paragraph or two in a book about the history of Literature is ludicrous at best.
Besides that, there were some factual mistakes regarding the lives of the Romantics and the Brontës, maybe there were regarding other authors as well but I couldn't notice them.
kathleenww's review
5.0
I'm a big fan of the Little Histories books from Yale Press: my son and I used EH Gombrich's A Little History of the World for homeschool. This one is a short survey of Literature, by John Sutherland. The book is geared to younger readers, but I'd say age 12 and up would be the appropriate age--any adult will enjoy this work as well.
As an English major myself, I felt Sutherland did a pretty good job of being comprehensive, as a far as covering most of the major literary movements. Of course, one cannot talk about every author that ever set quill to papyrus! He covers the classics of world literature, English literature, and American lit as well, and does a pretty good job of touching on the important highlights. He starts with a rudimentary explanation of myth, "Myth always contains a truth,which we understand before we can clearly see it or explain it." I felt throughout the book, Sutherland makes simple statements about whatever is being explored; he makes these observations himself, or quotes other experts and authors. This is the kind of book that will lead readers to other works, both of literature and of criticism. It is so important for kids to read and understand what true criticism is about these days. The idea of criticism has becomes so pejorative.
I didn't necessarily agree with every single thought the author has (Mr. Knightley, dull?! Never!), but overall, I enjoyed his style of writing, and he makes it clear that he is also a reader with opinions. He even addresses the EL James 50 Shades of Grey phenom: a "bonkbuster"), and popular lit vs prize winners. Other noteworthy topics: the Sagas, Anglo-Saxon literature, interactive literature, digital books, and poetry.
The author, John Sutherland, is a professor in London, and there were a few words that were clearly regional to England. This would be a great book for a middle school age child who is truly interested in reading and literature to read and discuss with an adult. I plan on giving it to my son to read as well. He is almost 13. It is not a difficult read, the prose style is conversational and often humorous. This could give anyone adult or teen, a leg up in English classes, or at a cocktail party!
As an English major myself, I felt Sutherland did a pretty good job of being comprehensive, as a far as covering most of the major literary movements. Of course, one cannot talk about every author that ever set quill to papyrus! He covers the classics of world literature, English literature, and American lit as well, and does a pretty good job of touching on the important highlights. He starts with a rudimentary explanation of myth, "Myth always contains a truth,which we understand before we can clearly see it or explain it." I felt throughout the book, Sutherland makes simple statements about whatever is being explored; he makes these observations himself, or quotes other experts and authors. This is the kind of book that will lead readers to other works, both of literature and of criticism. It is so important for kids to read and understand what true criticism is about these days. The idea of criticism has becomes so pejorative.
I didn't necessarily agree with every single thought the author has (Mr. Knightley, dull?! Never!), but overall, I enjoyed his style of writing, and he makes it clear that he is also a reader with opinions. He even addresses the EL James 50 Shades of Grey phenom: a "bonkbuster"), and popular lit vs prize winners. Other noteworthy topics: the Sagas, Anglo-Saxon literature, interactive literature, digital books, and poetry.
The author, John Sutherland, is a professor in London, and there were a few words that were clearly regional to England. This would be a great book for a middle school age child who is truly interested in reading and literature to read and discuss with an adult. I plan on giving it to my son to read as well. He is almost 13. It is not a difficult read, the prose style is conversational and often humorous. This could give anyone adult or teen, a leg up in English classes, or at a cocktail party!
jackquelinereads's review
5.0
This book, written by a professor at a London Uni is an easy to follow guide to why the books we choose and the authors we love represent our humanity throughout time. From the beginning of Beowulf to the legendary Brontë Trio to the ultimate pessimist which is Hardy to Fifty Shades. All 40 chapters were full of life and I enjoyed in one sitting! Yes, it was that good..
jodiebrown2001's review
5.0
Doing my masters means focusing so intensely on one period of literature at a time, though great fun, it's rather easy to get lost. Sometimes it's good to go back to basics and revisit a little bit of everything. This book did it perfectly.