NONFICTION

How To Read Literature

by Terry Eagleton
Yale Univ. 2013. 256p. index. ISBN 9780300190960. $26. LIT
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Renowned UK critic and best-selling author Eagleton (Literary Theory: An Introduction and After Theory) is at it again. Here he attempts to teach new students to read with greater insight. In-depth but rambling analyses consider how concepts such as character, narrative, and originality came to be valued differently by various literary movements. His close reading of randomly selected "first lines" is adept but inconclusive, and takes time that could have been spent on such concrete literary elements as theme and syntax. Despite a long-winded defense of his own bad interpretation of "Baa Baa Black Sheep," his witty and erudite prose does reveal brilliant insights about an array of texts.
VERDICT While Eagleton is obviously well read, with an unquestionable knowledge of literary theory, this book may not achieve its ambitions. Unsurprisingly, students will not actually learn to read literature from this volume but over time might further develop their interest in great books by careful perusal of the cited works.
Reviewed by Lara Jacobs, Brooklyn , Jun 15, 2013
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