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A Little History of Literature
A Little History of Literature | John Sutherland
10 posts | 3 read | 1 reading | 36 to read
This "little history" takes on a very big subject: the glorious span of literature from Greek myth to graphic novels, from "The Epic of Gilgamesh" to "Harry Potter." John Sutherland is perfectly suited to the task. He has researched, taught, and written on virtually every area of literature, and his infectious passion for books and reading has defined his own life. Now he guides young readers and the grown-ups in their lives on an entertaining journey "through the wardrobe" to a greater awareness of how literature from across the world can transport us and help us to make sense of what it means to be human. Sutherland introduces great classics in his own irresistible way, enlivening his offerings with humor as well as learning: "Beowulf," Shakespeare, "Don Quixote," the Romantics, Dickens, "Moby Dick," "The Waste Land," Woolf, "1984," and dozens of others. He adds to these a less-expected, personal selection of authors and works, including literature usually considered well below "serious attention"--from the rude jests of Anglo-Saxon runes to "The Da Vinci Code." With masterful digressions into various themes--censorship, narrative tricks, self-publishing, taste, creativity, and madness--Sutherland demonstrates the full depth and intrigue of reading. For younger readers, he offers a proper introduction to literature, promising to interest as much as instruct. For more experienced readers, he promises just the same.
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ErinSBecker
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The United States is a young country... Its frontier struggles... can be seen as having inspired some versions of epic, in the form of the films of DW Griffith (Birth of a Nation, 1915) and westerns....

Look it's entirely possible that Birth of a Nation could be in some senses related to epic poems like The Odyssey, but you do NOT just casually drop in a reference to this racist pos film (originally titled The Clansman) without SOME explanation.

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Lissa00
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Another #bookhaul in the books about books category. My book shopping kryptonite.

55 likes1 stack add
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SW-T
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Pickpick

Quick, easy read that actually covered a lot of ground. Would recommend this little charmer. #history #knowledgeispower

2 likes1 stack add
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SW-T
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Stopped in Half Price Books and saw several cool lit themed sketch pads.

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SW-T
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EclecticReaders Woohoo! 6y
4 likes1 comment
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mrozzz
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Does it count if I've been there and desperately can't wait to return?

My nonfiction stack for #uncannyoctober 🤘🏻✈️

Libby1 I‘m going this Thursday! I hope you‘re able to return soon. I only live in Northern Ireland so it‘s just a short flight away. 6y
mrozzz Oh that's lovely, have a great trip! Buy lots of books? 😉 @Libby1 I'd love to stop off in other parts of the UK next time I'm able 😄 6y
76 likes1 stack add2 comments
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kaykay521
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Pickpick

I'm an English Literature minor in school currently and want to be a librarian, so i found this concise book to be interesting and pretty easy to read. The author goes through history touching on ancient epic poems, Ancient Greek drama, the rise of the novel to modern literature and the invention of tv and movies. Great read for all literature fans out there.

42 likes1 stack add
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kaykay521
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Saturday library lunch time! ❤️👍📚

49 likes1 stack add
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MrBook
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#TBRtemptation post! This book covers the span of time from Greek myths to contemporary graphic novels, Gilgamesh to Harry Potter. He has taught & written on nearly every area of literature, & his biblio-passion has made JS very sought after. Themes include: censorship, narrative tricks, self-publishing, taste, madness. He discusses the canons & the lesser-knowns. He includes his personal favorites as well. #blameLitsy #blameMrBook 😎

LitsyGoesPostal 😊👍🏻 7y
93 likes23 stack adds1 comment
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Mystic.Archives.Of.Dantalian
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Pickpick

Today's recommendation: A Little History of Literature. This book simply is trip through the world of literature. "That is part of the beauty of all literature. You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you're not lonely and isolated from anyone. You belong."
F. Scott Fitzgerald

4 likes1 stack add