30-Second Literature: The 50 most important forms, genres and styles, each explained in half a minute

by Ella Berthoud

Whether you're looking for a new author or genre to explore, 30-Second Literature provides you with summaries of the major literary genres, styles and histories.

Part of the 30-Second series, this introductory guide to literature is split into 7 chapters that cover:
The History of Literature – from Sanskrit to Modernism
The Novel – in all its glorious genres
Literary Prose – non-fiction from diaries to philosophies

Poetry – from the sonnet to the haiku

Drama – interesting theatrical forms and genres
Literary Devices – the techniques authors use in their works
Literary Styles – the features and history of different styles of writing
Each topic is summarized in 300 words and contains a small bibliography for you to expand your bookworm horizons. You can also brush up on literary terms ahead of that book-club meeting, as each chapter features its own glossary. Interspersed throughout the book are profiles of key literary figures that have impacted one of our most beloved hobbies. Literature is not just any written work; it is work that has stood the test of time, that is most widely thought to be of lasting merit. Just how particular books are elevated to literary status, reflects the values and judgements of society and mirrors the development of civilisation. This book is a broad overview of the multitude of voices used to describe our human experience.

If you like this, you might also be interested in 30-Second Mythology . . .

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Writing, Literature

160 pages, Hardcover

First published March 3, 2020

About the author

Ella Berthoud started reading on a journey from Tehran to London, on the parcel shelf of a Wolsey 1300 when she was five. She spent the next thirteen years reading books in inappropriate places like ski-lifts and trampolines. She studied English Literature at Cambridge University, where she read as many novels as she could at once. She continued on to University of East London where she studied Fine Art, and combined her twin passions of reading and painting by listening to books while creating works of art. She has worked as an artist in residence at Pentonville Prison, Friends School Saffron Walden and Queenswood School.

Ella first started talking about bibliotherapy with Susan Elderkin when they were at Cambridge together. Over the ensuing years they prescribed literature to their friends and family, while Ella worked as an artist and Susan wrote her own novels. In 2007 they developed the idea in conjunction with The School of Life into what it is today, a one to one service taking place in person, or over the phone.
Ella lives in West Sussex with her husband and three daughters.

Reviews

[Flybyreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved everything about this book!
This is an amazing reference book for literature lovers, reviewers, and enthusiasts. In each section, we have a glossary of crucial words with definitions, a 3-second plot that explains the title, a 3-minute theme for more details of the concept, famous examples of the genre, other related topics, interesting information, and magnificent illustrations. It starts with the history of literature, followed by different genres, authors and insights. Of course, if you expect in-depth knowledge and content, it may not satisfy you as it is a pocket-book full of general terms and key concepts of literature. Starting from here, you can intensify your search and get to the bottom of it all, this amazing book offers a gateway to literature. I found it quite captivating and I will definitely buy a hard-copy edition to keep it in my library for future reference. Definitely recommended for bibliophiles, who want to extend their literary knowledge.

(I received an advanced readers' copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review)

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This educational book geared towards adults teaches readers about the 50 "most important" literary forms of poetry, novels, etc. There were quite a few elements that I expected that were not included, especially in the drama section (such as pageants in the outdoor historic play sense) and poetry. No examples are really provided, which is a shame in terms of things like iambic pentameter and sonnets. The styles were mostly the traditional, established types.

The book is well illustrated with dark, muted art, especially vintage looking images and sort of steampunk looking stuff. It's a good intro, but rather scattered. I had to look through the index to find out if many terms were included and they were often in different sections than where I would have looked. Still a good supplement for learning about literary forms, with lots of information.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.

[Etienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like all the 30 Seconds book this one was excellent. Not that I learn that much, being very much into literature for over a decade now, but I think this could do a really nice introduction for someone who want to learn more about the subject. Like all the books in that collection, this is really an introduction work for every possible subject, so nothing new here! I could also help so less newcomers readers to explore new genres and new authors or books that they might never have heard about. Well done!

[JCS · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great overview of the different types of literature. I never realised there were so many! Well set out, and easy to follow, with a brief explanation of each one. A fascinating book and a really useful reference book. Thank you to Ella Berthoud, Net Galley and the publisher, Ivy Press for an ARC.

[Maddie O. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley.

I thought this was a great exploration of the various forms and movements of literature. The entries were the perfect length to keep me engaged but also educate. I recommend it for any literature lover- I’ll probably give it another read now and then to prompt deeper thinking about the books I’m reading.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's easy to get many of these forms mixed up (I often fail at finding the demarcation between symbolism and allegory even though I've re-learned it what feels like a hundred times), and Berthoud seeks to remedy that by giving us some extremely concise summations of literary movements, styles, etc. so that, at the very least, you know they're a thing. I'd like to think that many of us haven't given these much thought since high school or college, so it's a big help.

The selling point of this is its rapid-fire reference material meant to just give you the ole quick-and-dirty without belaboring a point and getting overexcited, and it delivers in that regard. Some pages might feel that they're too basic (e.g. crime), and Berthoud notes up front that some subject matter had to be excised (read the book for all of that info). I think the material here is incredibly helpful, as I'm sure you could search online for these definitions, but the neat thing is that sometimes we don't even know what we should be searching for--and in comes this book, right?

Aside from the profile pages on the styles or genres, you're referred to choice book examples on each respective page, short paragraphs that distill the point into an even *shorter* summary, selected author biographies...that and more.

A well-crafted reference piece you can revisit time and again to obtain clarity.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Quarto Publishing Group and Ivy Press for the advance read.

[Desca Ang · Rating 5 out of 5]

DISCLAIMER: The book is given by NetGalley, the author and the publisher in exchange of an honest review. All the review written is not related to any personal issues or connection.

TRIGGER: This is a non-fiction book. The content is informative and concise.

As a literarian, I found that this book is enlightening. Each of its contents is precise and informative. The good thing is that they also keep the contents simple. The book is divided into seven sections: History of Literature, The Novel, Literary Prose, Poetry, Drama, Literary Devices and Literary Style. The information is very enlightening and useful not only for a literarian like me but also for the common people who happen to love literature. Each section is started with the glossaries, history of literature and short yet interesting explanation on the topic being discussed. 

I would really and strongly suggest you to purchase and read this book particularly if you are literarian for it explains all about literature in the simplest way.

Full review: https://literatureisliving.wordpress....

[Jifu · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Note: I received an advanced ready copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley

30-Second Literature provides a surprising amount of information in its succinct descriptions. Besides summaries on a wide-spanning range of literary styles, writing styles, devices, and much more, each section also provides helpful sub-sections with example bibliographies, related topics, overarching themes, and even smaller, further distilled summaries of whichever topic is being addressed on the page. Being such an easy and handy resource, I hope that this will start to appear in English classrooms and school libraries soon.

[Kimberly Tierney · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an avid reader, English major, and sometimes writer I love this book! The book is very short, which is the point, and I think it is a brilliant idea. To be able to have a one-page summary, with bibliographic examples for each genre of literature is an invaluable resource to those in the writing and publishing world. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone considering English as a college major. I would not be surprised if within a few years there are schools adding this book to their reading list for English majors.

[Ebb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read through different types of literature throughout history. The book is packed with lots of information delivered in short bursts. Each entry gives you notable works to look at and each chapter also gives a biography of an author that has impacted their field in a significant way. Well worth the read and a great addition to any collection.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

A crash-course guide to literature and its history, designed as a brief introduction to the topic and explaining nearly all of the major terms and themes for the budding student or anyone with a more casual interest in the topic. It's neatly laid out and succinctly written, to be breezed through in a single sitting, and aside from a couple of odd inclusions it certainly fits the bill as a likeable primer.

[April Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting little book, with lots of information whittled down into bite-sized pieces. Though not a complete list of literary forms, quite a bit is covered here, and this book gives a good overview of literature. The collage-style illustrations are fun, and go nicely with the text. This would be a good coffee table book for bibliophiles!

#30SecondLiterature #NetGalley

[Jacqueline Nyathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and informative.

[Earl Pestano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful! ❤️

[Nicholas Pokorny · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's exactly as it sounds like the title says it is.

[Hannah Drinkwater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Succinct, educational and interesting, this handy little book was a very quick read and one I will be referring to in the future for all things literature and writing!

[Freya Odell · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Does what it says on the tin but impossible to capture everything..

[Tasha Dhyani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone interested in literature and wanting to know deeper about its forms, genres, styles, and whatnot, this is a good handbook.

[Alexandra Galván · Rating 4 out of 5]

The idea of this book is excellent. I enjoyed it from the beginning. It's a perfect work for people that are looking for some light reading, for those starting their literature studies, and for people that have no idea of some related terminology.

I received this copy in a .ascm format, so I don't know how it would look in a tablet or in a physical format, but I think it'd work splendidly in a digital way since it has tiny sections that can send you to other pages with related content, as well as extra bibliography.

I would've liked the inclusion of a couple of more authors biographies' for each section and that they would've dedicated time for children's and erotica's literature since they have been earning new readers and more relevance nowadays.

If I ever see this book, I'm gonna buy it.

[Rini Budihartati · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5
This book gives us insights about literature history, the novel, literary prose, poetry, drama, literary devices and literary styles. Each topic above is divided into a few smaller parts that give us brief and short explanations. Just like the title of the book. Though, I need to re-read some parts to understand. Moreover, the book gives us the time and the example of the literary works. This book also provides us with glossary in each topic that makes us easier to know important definitions. Furthermore, this book gives us awesome illustrations. I like to look at them. All in all, this book is good for you if you want to know a thing or two about literature. Thank you for writing this book! :)

[Mary Bronson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC of this book for an honest review

I thought this would be an interesting coffee table book to have out. This book talk about all different kinds genres in books through out history. I also like how each section is short and gives little blurbs to learn something, but no overwhelm you with information.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

30-Second Literature is a short style guide to the most common literary forms, with short explanations for each. Due out 3rd March 2020 from Quarto on their Ivy Press imprint, it's 160 pages and will be available in hardcover format.

This is a collection and collaboration, well curated and edited by Ella Berthoud and compiled of essays and examples by a number of other authors. It delves into 50 different forms arranged roughly thematically: historical forms, the novel, literary prose, poetry, drama, literary devices, and styles. Each of the categories includes several notable forms such as early modern fiction, epistolary writing, tragedy, comedy, narrative voice, realism, etc. Each of the archetype chapters also contains an illustrative profile: Dostoevsky, Hafez, Aristophanes, and so on. Each of the chapters also includes a handy glossary with good layman accessible definitions.

Each of the entries also includes a definition, some deeper interpretation and related topics for further reading, along with a bibliography and (very) short text.

Graphically this book is beautifully appealing as well, with lots of varied paintings, drawings, relevant illustrations and tie-ins, cartoons and artistic work both original and reprinted.

This would make a superlative choice as a support text for literature/classroom/instruction use or as a personal reference work for the keen reader. The index is brief but satisfactory to its purpose.

Five stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes

[Theediscerning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, this was a good book, but one that was a bit 'off'. It intends to cover the entirety of the written word and yet is fifty per cent illustration – however good those images may be, it's not really called for. It aims to cover all its subjects in thirty second bursts for the time-destitute, yet I can't get them done in that time. For I read aloud, even if I read aloud quickly, as I have found over the decades it makes me something closer to a careful reader. For one thing, each page-long entry is split into multiple sections, each with its own erroneous claim to its duration. So you get the core of the topic, the core of the topic redacted in two ways, a side-panel to the core of the topic, and a relevant reading list. In thirty seconds or whatever, it's more than an adult primer might have actually need bother with. It looks in preview form to be rather clunkily edited – an early instance of BC dating that is in the wrong order; an example of the book telling us Animal Farm didn't do A, but did do B, yet including it in the reading list for A. But I guess for a certain student it packs a punch, it carefully covers a lot of ground from individual genres and styles to literary techniques, and is certainly global and otherwise wide-ranging in its recommendations.

[Kirsten Lost 2022 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is necessary reading for:

*lovers of the English language
* students of the English language
* literature enthusiasts

Hoo boy this was great. So informative, funny in places, educational... just get it.

[J.D. DeHart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this play with form by Ella Berthoud. I would use this book as a mentor text for creativity in short spaces.

[Athina (booknotes_athina) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

These kind of books are right up my alley. I like reading books about books and literature.
In this one the author manages to give us all the information we need regarding forms, genres and styles of literature,in texts that are short but fully understandable.
It covers all the important genres, styles and forms of literature and at the same time gives you examples and further reading material.
It's a great reference book and perfect for every bibliophile out there.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

30-Second Literature was a surprisingly informative look into broad aspects of literature. Even as it remains brief in its details throughout, it describes literary history, devices, and styles, as well as taking a deeper look into genres and categories of novels, poems, and plays. Anyone looking for a book that will help address terms and categories they don't feel they have a good understanding of (like modernism or stream of consciousness) should find this answers a lot of their questions, and provides some great examples to help you explore a broad variety of literature when they're done. I'm no academic, but I would still consider myself fairly knowledgeable, and I still found this gave me a better understanding of areas I lacked familiarity with, as well as some great recommendations in areas I have a good background of. I also really appreciated seeing these introductions feature discussions of race, gender, colonialism, politics, and more.

I would definitely recommend 30-Second Literature to adults and teenagers looking for a grasp of the basics. It has also suitably piqued my own interest in the 30-Second series as a whole.

[joyce w. laudon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whether you were an English major or not, you may find this short book to be an excellent resource on all things literary.  Some of the concepts covered are the oral tradition, early modern literature, the ballad, Satire and so much more.


The author notes that "Through literature, as readers we gain insight into worlds we could never have dreamt of..."  They also note that literature connects us to each other. True readers know just how true this is and how amazing literature can be.  This book will enhance readers understanding of many things literary.


The authors ambitious plan is to briefly reflect on the novel, literary prose, poetry, drama, literary devices and literary styles. You will know what a Gutenberg parenthesis is and way vorticism mean as you read and these are only two of the many included definitions.  Review your favorite kinds of fiction form historical novels to fantasy with everything in between.


I recommend this cleverly illustrated and written volume.  I feel like I already know more than I did before I opened this book.

'Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

[Amit Verma · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, if you read a lots of books then you should pick this book.
It teaches so many things about books, which frequently feature whenever books are discussed officially or in our backyards.
I learnt so many new words related to writing style like epistolary novels, allegory, haiku, anthromorphism and many similar words.
History of early literature and brief bio of few great authors feature in the work.
Best part is its conciseness, it takes only half page for each facet it deciphers.
There are wonderful graphics on facing page.
Very good book, especially for book reviewers and aspiring authors who want to gain practical knowledge of glossary related to literature.
Thanks Quarto books for another wonderful reading opportunity.

[kb · Rating 3 out of 5]

No-bullshit reference for those who want a quick refresher or fresh study on literature. Enjoyed the different options, such as the 3-seconder and 3-minute summaries, in capturing the essence of a genre. Every page also lists at least three recommended reads, some of which I noted, and most of the accompanying collages were fascinating to look at.

See pages here.

Everything I read in 2020 here :)