Description: 5 book recommendations by English literature university student M Mahima
1. Paradise Lost by John Milton
Oh, the most literary work of them all. A good ten thousand lines or so of ultimate poetry-prose. It’s to do with the fall of man – of Adam and Eve’s descent to Earth. This work is not only absolutely beautiful but hugely influential for later writers. It’s a great basic reference point when you want to talk about how other (later) texts explore humanity and what it means to be human.
2. The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer
This is on the first-year set reading list of nearly all of the top ten universities. Chaucer is a master at work – here he brings life to the contemporary stereotypes of medieval society and has them interact with each other. His commentary on wider society through the tales proves to still be applicable more than six hundred years later.
3. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
Of course there’s Shakespeare on this list – but instead of recommending one or two of his plays I’m challenging you to read everything he’s written – plays, sonnets, et al. You’ll discover that there’s discrepancies between different editions of the plays – and things called First Folio, Second Quarto, and other categories meant to totally confuse you.
To make the experience more enjoyable (who am I kidding, as a prospective English student you probably love Shakespeare to bits already) I recommend that you book yourself some Globe Theatre tickets (the standing tickets are only £5 and include a much more interactive experience with the performance – you’ll have lots to say about audience participation in making a play believable once you’ve attended one!). Try and read the play before you go to see the production, and maybe read it afterwards.
4. An Introduction to Literary Criticism by Bennett & Royle
This book offers simple summaries of the different theories you’ll come across as a first-year student. It also includes a glossary of literary terms to get confident using, and each chapter has a comprehensive ‘further reading’ section with all the big names for that particular topic listed. It’s a great piece, especially if you’re enrolled in a module that serves as an introduction to literary theories – those lectures will be far more comprehensible with this trusty guide by your side.
5. Beginning Theory by Peter Barry
With exercises, examples of the theory in use, and very extensive tips on being able to use the theories in your work this is a definite must-read for a prospective student. Apart from loving to read books, you must also love to write about them. Academic writing, for a lot of courses, make up the brunt of your examinations – so getting started early on perfecting the way you write critically before you start will bump those grades up. In order to write critically, you must first read critical essays – see how they’re done by the experts. The more essays you read, the more you’ll be able to explore your unique critical voice.
Some extra tips for those looking to dedicate the rest of the year to this:
- Make sure you read some Victorian fiction (Dickens, Austen, the Bronte sisters)
- Any book on Old English/Middle English Literature will prove useful
- The key thing is to read widely and form strong opinions about the books you’re reading