The Norton Anthology of English Literature: v. 2 |
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Pages: 2624 (Hardcover) Editor: D DAICHES ISBN: 0393954722 Pub: W W Norton & Co Ltd Pub date: 1986-05-07 Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 1762620 |
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Reader Reviews:
A Taste-Test Buffet of English Literature (3/3 people found this helpful)
The Norton Anthology of English Literature, Volume 1, is an indispensable addition to the book shelf of students, scholars and avid readers alike. Beautifully presented in matte paperback, and expertly executed by a plethora of academic editors, it covers the literature of the British Isles from the first Anglo-Saxon poet Caedmon (early 7th century) to the late 18th century, cutting off just before the Romantic period.
Contained within her several unexpected gems, including the full text of Seamus Heaney's verse translation of "Beowulf", the "Ancrene Riwle" - a medieval text concerning anchoresses which is otherwise unavailable, "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" and a substantial selection of Langland and Middle English lyrics. Spenser, Sidney, Marlowe and Donne all get lengthy, well selected outings, and are accompanied by a relatively wide array of women poets and authors, including the full text of Aphra Behn's "Oroonoko". The entirety of Swift's "Gulliver Travels" finds a slot and there are even more obscure gems like "The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano the African by Himself", an account of slavery in the UK, nestled inside the wealth of famous names.
The second volume covering the Romantic period to the present follows directly on, but its this first volume, containing so much material otherwise neglected by popular taste or curriculum, that provides such a good "finger buffet" for those looking to go further. Hopefully it will inspire more readers to branch out into the formative literature of the pre-1790's.
Don't let the heft of the book, or the apparent flimsiness of its pages put you off. Its lighter, and hardier, than it looks and worth its weight in gold.
Useful for reference (16/17 people found this helpful)
As an English student this is the key book on our reading list. Although it contains many useful texts and saves a substansial amount of money over the year, I found it very difficult to read complete texts. The print is tiny and the paper very thin and as the book is so thick it makes concentrating on a text difficult. I found myself renting all books from the library for the initial read and using Norton for reference and reminders.
Perfect for a student (5/9 people found this helpful)
This book just covers so much of the English Literature history - it is perfect for students and readers alike. Just flipping through pages tends to make one aware of the diversity and pleasure of the English Language, and we can learn so much about individual authors from one book.
Best buy - absoutely brilliant - im going out to by the second volume! happy reading
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Categories
Amazon.co.uk places this book into the following categories:
Books -> Subjects -> Poetry, Drama & Criticism -> History & Criticism -> Literary Studies
Books -> Subjects -> Poetry, Drama & Criticism -> Poetry -> By Period -> 19th Century
uk-shops -> Education Resources -> Books -> English Literature Study Guides -> Literary Studies