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A highly practical insight into studying English Literature at university, covering everything from UCAS applications to what is expected in lectures and seminars. Focusing on essential skills such as reading and researching, Green offers clear guidance for students on how to get the most out of an English Literature degree.
'Useful background reading for an introductory course on the novel and the changes of the genre across two centuries.' - Ann Heilman, University of Wales Swansea
'A varied selection of novels examined - from an interesting and valid context.' - David Olive, Manchester Metropolitan University
This essential glossary presents clear, succinct, and lively definitions of over 850 literary and critical terms for today's student. Thoroughly updated and expanded, the third edition features more than 50 new terms, including traditional terms, important contemporary terms and introductions to emerging fields of critical study.
'This text focuses on writers who are English, rather than who write in English, and deliberately concentrates on those most likely to be studied within the English education system. Its aim is to explore texts' interaction with their historical context; accordingly, it gives historical details as well as summaries and interpretations of literary texts. The style is concise, with concerns being introduced in a few paragraphs or even sentences...I found this an interesting and useful read. It introduces complex ideas in a style that will be easily understood by English teachers and will be accessible to some students at Advanced level and many in Higher Education. I recommend it for English departments and school/college libraries.' - Helen Barker, National Association for the Teaching of English
'Peter Widdowson has produced an eminently reliable, rigorous and above all readable contextualized chronology of the past 500 years of literary and cultural history. The book offers fascinating and illuminating possibilities of 'time travel' for the student and general reader alike.' - Professor Elleke Boehmer, Nottingham Trent University
Revised and updated throughout, the second edition of this best-selling book traces the development of one of the world's richest literatures from the old English period to the present day. It adds new names, new titles and new secondary reading to reflect fresh developments in literature and society, and to bring the reader up to the present day.
'I think students could do with reading a book like this which covers the main ground quickly and simply. It would also do as a 'refresher'.' - Martin Coyle, Chair of English Literature, Cardiff University, UK
The latest edition of this comprehensive guide to literary study now includes much more material on historical and cultural contexts as well as in-depth discussions on novels, drama and poetry.
''Well-written . the authors employ a lively and enthusiastic style that will be appreciated by its student audience. Complex concepts are clearly explained and students are referred to a range of secondary materials, including websites and discussion lists.' - Simon Horobin, Reader in English Language, Glasgow University
Key Concepts in Medieval Literature introduces students to the major authors, themes and genres of the English Middle Ages. These are discussed in concise focused essays, accompanied by summaries and recommendations for further reading, highlighting the need to see texts in context, both historically and linguistically.
'Excellent, succinct notes and introductions to each play.'- John Carey, The Sunday Times
This compact paperback edition of The Complete Works is designed for undergraduate students and includes introductory essays for each play, outstanding on-page glossary notes, a clear single-column page design with plenty of space for writing notes and photographs from the RSC archive.
Developed in conjunction with the Royal Shakespeare Company, this fresh edition of Shakespeare's sonnets and other poems offers a completely new introduction from renowned scholar Jonathan Bate, outstanding on-page explanatory notes and a clear, easy-to-read design.
A new edition of one of Shakespeare's most exciting tragedies, developed by and for the RSC, this book explores the play's history in production, offers helpful notes and summaries to help the reader understand the text, and includes interviews with three leading directors - Rupert Goold, Gregory Foran and Trevor Nunn.
From the Royal Shakespeare Company, this fresh edition offers new insight into Shakespeare's dark tragedy through interviews with leading directors Adrian Noble, Trevor Nunn and Deborah Warner, outstanding scene-by-scene analysis and on-page notes, and a thought-provoking new introduction from celebrated scholar Jonathan Bate.
This new edition of Shakespeare's classic love story, developed by and for the RSC, includes new interviews with acclaimed directors Adrian Noble, Gregory Doran and Braham Murray, looks at specific productions in the play's history, and a completely new introduction by acclaimed scholar Jonathan Bate.
This fresh new edition of one of Shakespeare's last plays, developed with the RSC, presents an easy-to-read overview of the play's performance history, including interviews with directors Dominic Cooke, Adrian Noble and Gregory Doran, and provides concise scene-by scene analyses and textual notes offering innovative new insights into the text.
The most enjoyable way to understand a Shakespeare play is to see it or participate in it. This book presents a historical overview of Hamlet in performance, recommends film versions, takes a detailed look at specific productions and includes interviews with three leading Directors - Michael Boyd, Ron Daniels and John Caird - so that we may get a sense of the extraordinary variety of interpretations that are possible - a variety that gives Shakespeare his unique capacity to be reinvented and made 'our contemporary' four centuries after his death.
The most enjoyable way to understand a Shakespeare play is to see it or participate in it. This book presents a historical overview of Love's Labour's Lost in performance, recommends film versions, takes a detailed look at specific productions and includes interviews with three leading Directors - Terry Hands, Liz Shipman and Gregory Doran- so that we may get a sense of the extraordinary variety of interpretations that are possible - a variety that gives Shakespeare his unique capacity to be reinvented and made 'our contemporary' four centuries after his death.
The most enjoyable way to understand a Shakespeare play is to see it or participate in it. This book presents a historical overview of A Midsummer Night's Dream in performance, recommends film versions, takes a detailed look at specific productions and includes interviews with three leading Directors - Michael Boyd, Gregory Doran and Tim Supple - so that we may get a sense of the extraordinary variety of interpretations that are possible - a variety that gives Shakespeare his unique capacity to be reinvented and made 'our contemporary' four centuries after his death.
Developed by and for the Royal Shakespeare Company, this new edition includes outstanding on-page notes, a comprehensive scene-by-scene summary, a new introduction from Jonathan Bate and interviews with celebrated directors Peter Brook, Sam Mendes and Rupert Goold, offering illuminating new angles on Shakespeare's magical vision.
With interviews with actors and directors including Simon Russell Beale, Bill Alexander and Richard Eyre, along with detailed looks at productions at the RSC and elsewhere, this new edition of the play offers innovative ways of looking at and understanding Shakespeare, as well as student-friendly notes and summaries.
For more information on Shakespeare and a wealth of resources please visit: www.rscshakespeare.co.uk
This collection of rare and classic documents provides student with rich source material and context for studying the literature of Shakespeare's age. The documents are supported by substantial editorial matter, including an authoritative introduction which outlines key historical events, movements, and literary and cultural issues of the time.
An essential critical survey of the major debates and issues surrounding Shakespeare's late plays, from the earliest published accounts to the present day.
This introductory guide to the first of Shakespeare's mature tragedies offers a scene-by-scene theatrically aware commentary, a brief history of the text and first performances, case studies of key performances and productions, a survey of film and TV adaptations, and a wide sampling of critical opinion and annotated further reading.
In this groundbreaking book one of the most original and compelling voices in contemporary Shakespeare criticism undertakes a detailed study of the extraordinary comedies Shakespeare wrote during his first decade as a dramatist. Lively and readable, Ryan lets each play speak for itself, transforming our understanding of Shakespearean comedy.
This critical edition reprints the Bevington text of The Tempest along with essays representing major critical and cultural controversies surrounding the work. The second edition includes four new selections, revised headnotes, visual representations of Caliban, and an appendix on writing about critical controversies.
Why is Shakespeare as highly regarded now as he ever has been? This book's answer to this question counters claims that Shakespeare's iconic status is no more than an accident of history. The plays, Belsey argues, entice us into a world we recognize by retelling traditional fairy tales with a difference, each chapter providing a detailed reading.
First published in 1904, this ranks as one of the greatest works of Shakespearean criticism of all time. The centenary edition includes a new Introduction by Robert Shaughnessy which places Bradley's work in the critical, intellectual and cultural context of its time.
This guide helps students navigate their reading of A.C. Bradley's classic text, while providing an important commentary on the value of Bradley's approach and how it can be adapted to present-day interests.
A 'hands-on' introductory guide to analyzing and discussing Shakespeare on screen.
A comprehensive guide to the range of criticism surrounding one of Wordsworth's most widely-studied poems, from the first Victorian reviewers right through to present day commentaries.
This is an invaluable duide to the range of critical reactions to three of Jane Austen's most widely-studied and popular novels, examining responses from the early nineteenth century to the present day.
Angela Wright appraises the key criticism surrounding Gothic fiction, from eighteenth-century accounts to present-day commentaries. Concise and authoritative, this indispensable Guide covers the work of a variety of well-known Gothic writers, such as Horace Walpole, Ann Radcliffe, Matthew Lewis and many others.
In this lively study, detailed analyses of individual poems are closely grounded in the literary, political and historical contexts in which Lyrical Ballads was conceived. John Blades reassesses the poems in the light of Wordsworth's and Coleridge's revolutionary theories, and traces the critical history of Lyrical Ballads over the two centuries since its first publication. Providing the critical and analytical skills with which to approach the poems, and offering guidance on further study, this stimulating book is essential reading for students.
This study focuses on how Frankenstein works: how the story is told and why it is so rich and gripping. Part I uses carefully selected short extracts for close textual analysis, while Part II examines Shelley's life, the historical and literary contexts of the novel, and offers a sample of key criticism.
This comprehensive survey of the critical response to Dracula provides an overview of the trends and development of work surrounding the novel. The critics and approaches discussed range from the earliest studies to the present day, with particular emphasis on biography, psychoanalysis, postcolonialism, Irish studies and gender.
Sara Lodge offers a lively introduction to the critical history of one of the most widely-studied nineteenth-century novels, from the first reviews through to present day responses. The Guide also includes sections devoted to feminist, Marxist and postcolonial criticism of Jane Eyre, as well as analysis of recent developments.
Assessing the full range of criticism from the frequently strident early responses, through twentieth-century critical engagements, to present-day commentaries, this Guide adopts a thematic approach to explore the key issues, topics and debates typically encountered in Sensation Fiction, and the study of the genre as a whole.
This Reader's Guide analyses the critical history of two of Hardy's major tragic novels, from the time of their publication to the present. Simon Avery traces the changing critical fortunes of the texts and explores the diverse range of interpretations produced by different theoretical approaches.
'Excellently produced, with valuable comment. There is a fascinating selection of essays, and excellent bibliographies.' - Dr Edward Chitham, The Open University
This widely adopted critical edition presents the 1847 text of Emily Brontë's novel along with critical essays that read Wuthering Heights from four contemporary perspectives: psychoanalytic, Marxist, feminist, and cultural studies. The text and essays are complemented by contextual documents and illustrations, introductions, bibliographies, and a glossary of critical and theoretical terms.
This authoritative survey examines how the Victorian middle-classes perceived themselves, through analyses of the literature of the period. Asking how the middle classes distinguished themselves from their forbears, Julian Wolfreys reads in detail major novels by: Charles Dickens, Elizabeth Gaskell, Wilkie Collin, George Eliot, Thomas Hardy.
This anthology is published in collaboration with the Open University. Lynda Prescott has collected 15 short stories by distinguished modern writers including Peter Carey, Zadie Smith and Bernard Malamud. Featuring the theme of 'difference', each story has something to say about cultural encounters, often arising from experiences of migration or uprooting. Includes biographic and photographic portraits of the authors.
Peter Nicholls provides original analytic accounts of the main Modernist movements. Close readings of key texts monitor the histories of Futurism, Expressionism, Cubism, Dadaism and Surrealism. This new edition includes discussion of the recent research trends, examination of developments in the US, and a new chapter on African-American Modernisms.
Reading Science Fiction brings together world class scholars and fiction writers to introduce the history, concepts and contexts necessary to understanding this fascinating genre. Providing valuable insights into the world of science-fiction, this thought-provoking textbook makes learning how to read science fiction an exciting collaborative process for teachers and students.
This comprehensive introduction to the work of Homi K. Bhabha, a key figure in both postcolonial and post-structuralist theory, is accessible and engaging. It places Bhabha's work in context, considers his effect on contemporary criticism, offers readings of a range of texts to illustrate his theories, and features an interview with the theorist.
This Guide examines the critical construction of the genre of 'contemporary Scottish literature' and assesses the critical responses to a wide range of contemporary Scottish fiction, poetry and drama. The Guide is structured thematically with each chapter addressing a specific area of debate within the field of contemporary Scottish Studies.
'Consistently of a very high standard, lucidly written, and impressively comprehensive in coverage.' - Bernhard Klein, University of Essex
This guide surveys the key critical debates, themes and issues surrounding a wide variety of Irish poets, playwrights and novelists and relates Irish literature to surrounding debates on national identity, modernity and the Revival period, armed struggle, gender, sexuality and post colonialism.
This revised new edition reviews Carter's novels in the light of recent critical developments and offers entirely new perspectives on her work. There is now extended discussion of Carter's most widely-studied novels, including The Passion of New Eve and Nights at the Circus, and discussion of the long essay The Sadeian Woman.
In this comprehensive introduction to Winterson's work, Sonya Andermahr considers its significance in the context of contemporary British culture and literary history. Including an interview with the author, this guide offers an accessible reading of all Winterson's work and an overview of the varied critical reception this has received.
An accessible and comprehensive introduction to the work of Julian Barnes, examining both historical and theoretical contexts.
This introduction places Kureishi's fiction in historical context and explores his relevance to contemporary culture. Including a timeline of key dates and an interview with the author, this clear guide offers an overview of the varied critical reception his work has provoked.
This lively and accessible collection of essays by leading scholars, some reprinted and others newly commissioned, provides a social and literary overview of the field of children's literature. Designed with the needs of students and teachers in mind, it explores history and genres, current concerns and possible future directions.
This book provides students and teachers of Children's Literature with access to high quality critical material on the most widely studied classic and contemporary children's books.
This attractively illustrated introductory guide looks at key British, American and Australian works, from picture books and texts for younger children, through to graphic novels and young adult fiction. Each chapter applies specific critical approaches, supported by explanatory boxed material and suggestions for further reading.
Negotiating the creative-critical crossover, Writing Fiction enables students to develop practical writing skills and a greater critical awareness of creative possibilities.
'One of the most accessible - and yet comprehensive - books on screenwriting that I have ever read. The book manages to be instructive without being academic, entertaining without resorting to entertainment, and pragmatic without being anecdotal. The result is a fully-dimensional approach to both the craft and the business of screenwriting that surpasses other, more singular-minded works - truly a revelation for neophyte writers and a useful brush-up tool for seasoned pros as well' - David Kukoff, Northwestern University, US
What fiction have we been reading in the last hundred years? Who are the most popular authors and what are the most popular books and the most important genres? Such straightforward questions raise intriguing literary, cultural, social and intellectual responses which often require much detective work in the annals of lost literature.
Packed with wisdom about the art of fiction and filled with writing exercises, this text examines the work of today's finest authors to teach you everything you need to know about writing short stories or longer fiction. This guide will equip any student with a portfolio of key fiction-writing skills.
This stimulating workbook is aimed at committed students of Creative Writing who want to engage with ideas about writing and develop their craft and practice.
Contributions by: Linda Anderson, Theodore Deppe, George Green, Graeme Harper (aka Brooke Biaz), William Herbert, Lee Martin, Jenny Newman, Jayne Steel and a Foreword by Patricia Duncker.
'The idea of life as a story, and the story being a journey explains the title The Road to Somewhere. As a writer you need to keep progressing and improving, and the four people who have co-edited the book together aim to help you along that journey.' - Richard Bell, Writing Magazine
'This comprehensive, intelligent guide approaches writing on all levels, from basics like punctuation to the trickier parts like plotting and structure. As well as nuts and bolts advice, it includes chapters on journal writing, creativity and dreams. With dozens of writing books around, this one stands out for its greater range and depth, and its eminently readable style.' - Sarah Tierney, City Life
Writing Poetry combines an accessible introduction to the essential elements of the craft, with a critical awareness of its underpinnings. The authors argue that separating the making of poems from critical thinking about them is a false divide and encourage students to become accomplished critics and active readers of poetic texts.
Studying Poetry is an engaging and approachable introduction to poetry. Barry Spurr tackles head on the difficulties students often face when reading poetry and offers practical advice.
Covers poets from a broad range of ethnic and regional backgrounds and explores a wide variety of poetic styles, including wellknown names like Seamus Heaney and Carol Ann Duffy alongside more experimental poets like Tom Raworth and Geraldine Monk. The book discusses all of the most compelling issues with which students, readers and writers of poetry are engaged today.
