A short history of English literature

by Robert Barnard

Thoroughly updated, this book remains the best overall survey of English literature available.

Genres: Literature, Nonfiction

209 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Aka Bernard Bastable.

Robert Barnard (born 23 November 1936) was an English crime writer, critic and lecturer.

Born in Essex, Barnard was educated at the Royal Grammar School in Colchester and at Balliol College in Oxford. His first crime novel, A Little Local Murder, was published in 1976. The novel was written while he was a lecturer at University of Tromsø in Norway. He has gone on to write more than 40 other books and numerous short stories.

Barnard has said that his favourite crime writer is Agatha Christie. In 1980 he published a critique of her work titled A Talent to Deceive: An Appreciation of Agatha Christie.

Barnard was awarded the Cartier Diamond Dagger in 2003 by the Crime Writers Association for a lifetime of achievement.

Under the pseudonym Bernard Bastable, Robert Barnard has published one standalone novel and three alternate history books starring Wolfgang Mozart as a detective, he having survived to old age.

Barnard lived with his wife Louise in Yorkshire.

Series:
* Perry Trethowan
* Charlie Peace

Reviews

[Žaneta Csonka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skvěle sepsaná publikace, která přesně, stručně a jednoduše vystihuje základní znaky a souvislosti anglické literatury, včetně autorů, jejich děl s menším rozborem a občas i krátkou ukázkou. Díky všem analýzám, podobenstvím a vzájemným srovnáváním spisovatelů je vidět, že autor knihy má opravdu přehled. Kniha je čtivá a příjemně na sebe všechno navazuje, tak, že se čte, spíš než jako odborná publikace, jako beletristický příběh.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this is like going on whirlwind courtship, shortening a 3-year affair into 3 weeks. I wish I had read this when I first started my university degree. It would have helped me through dark days when I wrestled with my choice of reading English Literature, and given me courage to love it more and hate it less (just as philosophy students would have appreciated "Sophie's World" when they first began their undergraduate studies).

Robert Barnard gives a lively, concise and witty discourse spanning Chaucer to Salman Rushdie, punctuated by descriptions and phrases so colourful that it makes for a good read on its own.

In his preface, Barnard states that this book serves to acquaint the reader with generally accepted views of the authors and periods under discussion and therefore has no intention to introduce any new insights, declaring in his deadpan way that “indeed, if an original is to be found anywhere in the book it has got in by mistake and is almost certainly wrong.”

There is a brief introduction of the political and social context for each period under discussion, giving a good background to the mood of the times and how it coloured and influenced writers' sentiments and expressions. That is immensely useful, especially if you are not British and are not familiar with English history.

He describes authors, historical figures and periods in delightful ways. Oscar Wilde was hailed as “the father of the twentieth century 'dandies' of literature...who refuse to be intimidated into solemnity, commitment of orthodoxy, who dance or prance with grace on the edge of the abyss.” What a wildly gorgeous description.

This is a good reference book for college students and anyone keen to have a quick grasp of English Literature without sacrificing its panoramic view. I am very sure that anyone who reads this would enjoy it, given the author's skill, knowledge of the subject matter and of course, his wit.

Robert Barnard, besides being a college professor is also a prolific writer of science fiction novels.

[Barbora]

Did I finish this book, or did this book finish me?

[✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very accessible reference book for both students and English literature lovers. I would have loved to have this book with me when I was studying literature! It is short but very concise and full of facts (both literary and historical). Barnard is an excellent writer and going through this book is a breeze. Barnard’s wit and style make A Short History of English Literature a very entertaining read, nothing like other overly academic/pedantic books on the subject.

[Marcela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tahle kniha by se měla používat jako sedativum, protože pokaždý, když jsem ji začala číst, tak se mi chtělo hrozně spát.
Na druhou stranu to bylo docela vtipně napsané, na to že je to přehled anglických spisovatelů.

„Edith Sitwellová představuje pro současnou kritiku problém: kolem roku 1950 do ní někteří kritici vkládali velké naděje, před pár lety ovšem její akcie klesly níže než u nějakého jihoafrického dolu, jehož ložiska stříbra nepotvrdila původní předpoklady.”

[Eugenio Fouz]

I liked this book because it meant reading about English literature with a well-educated man of letters. I took note on a paper of several titles to read-since Julius Caesar by Shakespeare to Bliss by Mansfield. THe book made me feel proud for the fact that I came to know how many books I was told to read and how many more I want to read. Now I am considering the novels by Elizabeth Taylor. The author wrote nice things about her writing style.
I recommend to read this book.

[FromAlderaan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soprendentemente ameno para ser un ensayo, combina poesía, teatro y novela con el contexto histórico de los autores. Da una visión muy superficial, pero funciona para el lector medio que quiera adentrarse en el mundo de los clásicos de la literatura británica y no sepa por dónde empezar.

Encuentro a faltar un indice de autores y obras reseñadas (he acabado con el libro lleno de notas).