This Thing Called Literature

by Andrew Bennett, Nicholas Royle

What is this thing called literature? Why should we study it? And how? Relating literature to topics such as dreams, politics, life, death, the ordinary and the uncanny, this beautifully written book establishes a sense of why and how literature is an exciting and rewarding subject to study. Bennett and Royle delicately weave an essential love of literature into an account of what literary texts do, how they work and what sort of questions and ideas they provoke. The book’s three parts reflect the fundamental components of studying reading, thinking and writing. The authors use helpful, familiar examples throughout, offering rich reflections on the question ‘What is literature?’ and on what they term ‘creative reading’. Bennett and Royle’s lucid and friendly style encourages a deep engagement with literary texts. This book is not only an essential guide to the study of literature, but an eloquent defence of the discipline.

Genres: Nonfiction, Literary Criticism, Writing, Literature

170 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2014

Reviews

[SARAH · Rating 2 out of 5]

انچه ادبیات می نامندش... ترجمه آرش صفا خو
کتاب همان گونه که عنوان اش آن را به منِ خواننده معرفی میکند،در مورد اهمیت ادبیات،خوانش انتقادی ،نگاه نقادانه،و در کل در باب این است که چطور ادبیات،رمان ،داستان کوتاه،در کیفیت زندگی مان موثر است ؟چگونه ادبیات به غنای زندگی می انجامد،دو فصل انتهایی کتاب هم؛به چگونگی نوشتن یک مقاله خوب و یک داستان کوتاه اثر گذار پرداخته ،در واقع از کنش اندیشیدن ،به امر خطیر نوشتن خلاق پرداخته،هر چه فصول اولی بنظرم سرشار از مثال های ناب از اثار کلاسیک و مدرن بود ،و موتور فکرم را راه می اداخت؛ که اصلا من به عنوان خوانندهء فلان اثر چقدر کنشگر فعالی در خوانندن اثار ادبی،هستم،دو فصل پایانی برایم پر از جزییات تکراری و خسته کننده بود .نمی دانم ضعف ترجمه بود یا چیز دیگری،ولی اثر نتوانست برای من به اندازه کافی قانع کننده باشد.چرا ادبیات مهم است؟بنظرم سوال های ماهوی و پر شور درست و تلاش برای پیدا کردن پاسخ های که ضد کلیشه اند ،و بررسی نمونه ها و مثال های نو می توانست جذابیت اثر را بیشتر کند....اگر اکنون تصمیم دارید یک مقاله بنویسید یا به عنوان نویسنده در حال کار روی یک اثر داستانی هستید و شخصیت هایی جایی میانه کار متوقف شده اند خواندن کتاب شاید دری برایتان بگشاید و اگر نه،....

[Maha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable. If one loves reading, thinking and writing, one will find numerous gems in this book. A keeper.

[Lama Hussein · Rating 3 out of 5]

مناسب للمبتدئين

[Hossein M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

این کتاب و «آثار ادبی را چگونه باید خواند» از تری ایگلتون را به همه‌ی کسانی که متون ادبی می‌خوانند و می‌خواهند درک بهتری نسبت به آثاری که می‌خوانند داشته باشند، پیشنهاد می کنم.

[Murat Dural · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yazmak konusunda kuramsal okumalara düşkünlüğüm ve olabildiğince hepsini okuma çabam içinde yüzümü güldüren ama yanında bir de uyarı yapmam lazım; başarılı, güzel, içinde beni düşünmeye sevk eden bir sürü şey oldu ama okuma, yazma, eleştiri konularında belli bir noktaya geldikten sonra bu kitabı okumanız daha iyi olabilir. Edebiyat ehlinin bildiği, edindiği bir kitap olduğunu düşünüyorum.

[Des Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now – something where I disagree with this book. They encourage brainstorming when reviewing a fiction book. But then they say one should tidy it up and make it appear less haphazard, more argued as if you know what you are talking about. Well, I think there can be something valuable and revelatory in leaving your real-time thoughts written as you first write them. Those thoughts must be expressed carefully, I agree, and they must be based on the ‘truth’ of what you read and of what you feel about that reading. By revising it later you may be inadvertently destroying germs of that ‘truth’.

The detailed review of this book posted elsewhere under my name is too long or impractical to post here.
Above is one of its observations at the time of the review.

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars!

[Sirinasilayan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Birşeylerin farkına varma mı sağladı. Umduğum kadar doyurucu bulmasam da faydası oldu.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good points....weak points
Here are...
My Thoughts

[Sam Chase · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3 stars

I was required to read specific chapters of this book as an addition for one of my college courses. I enjoyed Bennet and Royle's writing, and their examples were so well thought out. The bullet points at the end of each chapter were very helpful, as well. Honestly, I have no issues with this book, and nothing to say about it either. A perfect 3 star read :)

[Jay Rothermel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful tips

[Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic book, probably even more helpful because of its short length.

I want to start writing essays on literature and the arts in general, especially having an interest in criticism and theory. This book is extremely helpful regarding this as it goes through the main four literary forms and what to think about when analysing and writing about them.

There were a couple of disagreeable moments in here but other than that, a potent little book on literature.

[Jessi Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an informative and educational book! It has helped me understand so much about literature as a subject, and I've learned so much from it. It provides examples of books to read for each chapter topic and gives tips on how to think critically, creatively write, and read with intention. For anyone who wants to know more about the art of reading and writing, get this book!

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great guide. It offers a lot of valuable tips about reading, writing and thinking about literature. This book would be particularly helpful to students in both high school or university.

[Chaase · Rating 2 out of 5]

read for uni

[☆彡 · Rating 2 out of 5]

not my cup of tea. had to read this for uni and i just felt like all of the crucial tips could have been summarised in 50 pages

[Ata Can · Rating 4 out of 5]

really nice introductory book about reading, and thinking about literature. Every section offers further readings which has tons of extra information.

[ZN · Rating 5 out of 5]

edebiyat birinci sinifim bu kitabi bi hocam sayesinde okudum. sunu soyleyebilirim ki okurken icim heyecan doldu bolumume karsi bir eminlik duydum. buradan hocama tesekkur ederim

[Jason Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful introduction to literature. This book will be beneficial to anyone who who reads or writes or thinks.

[Dajuroka Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great study text. Will need to read again more closely.