The Faerie Queene: A Reader's Guide

by Elizabeth Heale

The Faerie Queene is the first great epic poem in the English language. It is a long and complex allegory which presents the first-time reader with many difficulties of allusion and interpretation.This volume is the only convenient and up-to-date guide to Spenser's poem, and is designed as a handbook to be consulted by students while reading the poem. Each chapter is devoted to a separate book of the poem, and sub-sections treat particular episodes or sequences in detail.

Genres: Literary Criticism, Nonfiction, Literature

204 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

This still did not clear up anything about The Faerie Queene for me. Blegh.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book SAVED me! Not only did it make understanding The Faerie Queene easier, as it works as a bit of a selective summary of each Book, but it also just showed me different ways of viewing things. It was just the example I needed to really see how to look at Spenser's writings allegorically, figuratively, etc. And it provided a good foundation of context too. Definitely a must have if you're tackling TFQ, whether on your own or with a post-secondary class. I am so glad it was one of our required readings.

[Othy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alright, I suppose, and possibly useful if: 1) you're reading FQ alone, 2) you're taking a class with a poor teacher, 3) you've got to study for a final. The discussions border too close to a "modern" reading of the Faerie Queene and thus is too far away from a good, clean look at the work. So, it's a fine study, but I'm sure there are better things out there.

[caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

thank you elizabeth heale for helping me to not fail my degree, i owe you my life

[Riya ❤️ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not at all helpful. Pure trash. Nothing insightful.

[Marko Vasić · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. This Companion could be quite a comely exegesis, yet merely for those who have already read the entire poem.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top reader's guide by my old teacher at Reading.