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Loading... How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Lively and Entertaining Guide…by Thomas C. Foster
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will love Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. Revealing, interesting, eminently readable. I tend to be only dimly aware of themes, parallels, mythic re-creations. This wonderful book leads the reader (me) to trust my own instincts when interpretations come to mind. The author has some good rules to keep in mind ("The real reason for a quest is always self-knowledge." or "It's never just rain."), but he spends a good deal of time on the exceptions, and the alternate paths of reasoning. And, of course, irony trumps everything. (  ) MerryMary | Aug 25, 2009 |  An absorbing, folksy discussion of elements that are often included in literary works. Highly recommended. ( )1  cataclysm | Jun 22, 2009 | I'm a literature professor. I read this book in the hope that it might remind me of where my students are coming from, but I didn't find it terribly helpful--for them or for me. (  ) Cariola | Jun 4, 2009 | A book about finding common themes in literature may sound extremely boring, but this book is anything but that. The author approaches the topic in an interesting, and often hilarious way that made me look forward to each new chapter. From meals to water to sex, all sorts of themes are covered with examples, explanations, and humor. If you want to have a deeper understanding of everything from required reading to your own "just for fun" books, this is a must-read - highly recommended! (  ) Samwisegirl12 | May 16, 2009 | A very basic book. Not sure why I picked it up, having minored in British literature at university. Still, if you're new to the reading for meaning thing, you could do a lot worse than giving this book a quick read. (  ) horacewimsey | Apr 27, 2009 |  no reviews | add a review
Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 006000942X, Paperback)What does it mean when a fictional hero takes a journey?. Shares a meal? Gets drenched in a sudden rain shower? Often, there is much more going on in a novel or poem than is readily visible on the surface—a symbol, maybe, that remains elusive, or an unexpected twist on a character—and there's that sneaking suspicion that the deeper meaning of a literary text keeps escaping you. In this practical and amusing guide to literature, Thomas C. Foster shows how easy and gratifying it is to unlock those hidden truths, and to discover a world where a road leads to a quest; a shared meal may signify a communion; and rain, whether cleansing or destructive, is never just rain. Ranging from major themes to literary models, narrative devices, and form, How to Read Literature Like a Professor is the perfect companion for making your reading experience more enriching, satisfying, and fun. (retrieved from Amazon Fri, 24 Apr 2009 07:58:01 -0400) The first test round has been closed. Visit the Open Shelves Classification group for details. |
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