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Hamlyn history: Literature
The literary tradition has both documented and shaped human culture for centuries. The allure of the written word has not waned for 3,000 years.
Hamlyn History - Literature is a comprehensive and fully illustrated guide to drama, poetry and prose from Homer to Science Fiction. Every important writer, major work and genre is analysed and placed in its historical context. Neil Grant's book is the essential guide to the rich and fascinating world of literature.
Hamlyn History - Literature is a comprehensive and fully illustrated guide to drama, poetry and prose from Homer to Science Fiction. Every important writer, major work and genre is analysed and placed in its historical context. Neil Grant's book is the essential guide to the rich and fascinating world of literature.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
August 24, 2024
Based on the lack of reviews and ratings on Goodreads, I'm guessing this book never made it past its first edition. I picked it up in a second hand bookstore years ago, and recently decided to read it through.
As a survey of many of the major periods and authors in English literature, it's quite a handy and concise reference. It's a catalogue really, with only a brief description of each item of its subject matter. How complete or exhaustive it is, I can't really say; I don't have enough context to assess that.
I must say that the author's writing is fairly dry, and at times comes across as opinionated and subjective. I found myself wondering what other authorities might have said about a particular author or period.
Nevertheless, at a couple of hundred pages, this book was never going to provide in-depth information or education on any of the periods and authors it covers. Instead, it offers a nice quick reference and cursory glance at some of the major themes, authors and periods in western literature, albeit a somewhat canonical and eurocentric one.
For me, I think this book at least pointed me in the direction of the places I wanted to do more reading.
As a survey of many of the major periods and authors in English literature, it's quite a handy and concise reference. It's a catalogue really, with only a brief description of each item of its subject matter. How complete or exhaustive it is, I can't really say; I don't have enough context to assess that.
I must say that the author's writing is fairly dry, and at times comes across as opinionated and subjective. I found myself wondering what other authorities might have said about a particular author or period.
Nevertheless, at a couple of hundred pages, this book was never going to provide in-depth information or education on any of the periods and authors it covers. Instead, it offers a nice quick reference and cursory glance at some of the major themes, authors and periods in western literature, albeit a somewhat canonical and eurocentric one.
For me, I think this book at least pointed me in the direction of the places I wanted to do more reading.
Displaying 1 of 1 review