The Oxford Illustrated History of English Literature

by Pat Rogers (Editor)

The British Literary Heritage is virtually unrivaled in the Western world, and this large, lavishly illustrated volume explores the richness, diversity, and continuity of that tradition, from its first stirrings in Anglo-Saxon poetry to the present day.
At the heart of the chronicle is the towering figure of Shakespeare, who receives a full chapter to himself. Other figures treated in depth are Chaucer, Milton, Donne, Wordsworth, Dickens, Eliot, and Auden. An examination of such modern authors as Philip Larkin, Seamus Heaney, and Edward
Bond brings the story up to date. The book is, throughout, far more than a mere outline of periods and schools of writing. Capturing the pleasure and exhilaration of literature, it moves beyond facts and events to present the broad sweep of ideas and the main concerns of British writers across
some 1,200 years. The nine contributors are all acknowledged experts in the particular areas, and they bring to their sections not just deep knowledge but genuine zest and affection for their subjects.
The illustrations--32 in color and more than 200 in black and white--reflect the content and concerns of the chapters. They range from manuscript and book illustrations to works of art and architecture, portraits, social scenes, landscapes, and caricatures. Rather than simply decorating the
text, they illuminate the ideas, preoccupations, and outlooks of the various periods treated. Also included in this handsome volume are suggestions for further reading, maps, and a table of important dates.

Genres: History, Literature, Nonfiction, Reference, Books About Books

544 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Beverley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I struggled with this book as there is just so much about English literature that I don't know!! Even the periods I'm more familiar with I found difficult and was tempted several times to abandon it. I'm pleased I persevered though because there are things that I have learnt, which is what it's all about!

[The Bookish Wombat · Rating 2 out of 5]

An overview of English literature from the Dark Ages to the 1960s. The history of literature obviously doesn't change, so this is a good book if you want an overview of how literature has developed. The criticism included in the book, however, seems dated and very patriarchal.

[Daniel Veselič · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fundamental outline of British Literature is summarised in approximately 400 pages.

Some chapters of the book, especially those that deal with the literature of the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, were the toughest to read – it was not because the chapters were written poorly, but because I am least interested in the literature written during those times, so it was harder for me to find something that I could lean on.

But once I got past that point, the segments that followed afterwards were read in no time.
I especially enjoyed the last 100 pages of the book that dealt with the 19th and 20th centuries; what I liked the most was probably the addition of historical connotations, which gives the reader a better understanding of why and how something was written or done in that way.

Overall, a great overview that gives you better understanding of the history of British Literature.

[Carlos Carneiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dedicated to Ceinwyn xDDDD