Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Let me start out by stating I purchased this book for the purpose of studying for the English Literature CLEP exam.
After reading this book cover to cover, it was not really what I expected. In fact, really the only "helpful" portions of the book were the sample literature readings. There are a few facts tossed here and there, but nothing beyond an extremely basic overview.
The main surprise about this book was how much of the author's personal opinion and point of view dominated the text. Is it really respectful to call people who disagree with homosexuality "homophobias"?
The other issue (though I expected as much) was the supposed intellect on the Bible and its interpretation. How was Adam and Eve having sex a sin? God created sex! The author contradicts himself when he compares a tale from the Canterbury Tales to Christ dying on the cross--with the tale being about a wife having sex "with a man on a tree." It's a disturbing interpretation, and certainly taken far, far out of context.
It's not that I didn't expect the author to express an opinion, but that opinion is very strong, woven throughout the entire book, and written as fact. Every book has some kind of opinion--this book just has one of the strongest I've ever come across.
Over all, I was disappointed with my purchase. The glossary and appendix had better info than the rest of the book!
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Explore the canon of great writers. In this incredible volume, English professor Jay Stevenson teaches readers everything they want—and need—to know about English literature. From Chaucer, Shakespeare, Milton, and Keats, to more modern figures like Nabokov, Salinger, Morrison, and Updike, this handy guide also includes information on periods, time frames, every type of criticism, the differences and similarities of the literature on each side of the Atlantic, and more. —Fascinating, fact-filled writing that explores English literature as it is studied right now —Terrific supplementary reading for AP English Lit students —Helps readers explore and study fiction, plays, poems, and prose
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