This Thing Called Literature: Reading, Thinking, Writing (xx xx)

Book Details

• Author: Andrew Bennett & Nicholas Royle

• Publisher: Routledge

• Edition: 1st

• ISBN: 9781408254011

• Pages: 160

• Cover: Paperback

• Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches

About the Book

"This Thing Called Literature" offers an engaging and accessible introduction to the study of literature. Written by Andrew Bennett and Nicholas Royle, this book delves into why literature is essential, how literary texts function, and the kinds of questions they provoke.

Divided into three parts—Reading, Thinking, and Writing—the book encourages readers to develop a deeper engagement with literary texts through examples and reflections on the act of "creative reading." The authors explore topics such as dreams, politics, life, death, and the ordinary vs. the uncanny, all while weaving an appreciation for literature into their analysis.

Bennett and Royle’s clear, friendly style makes the book an invaluable guide for both new students of literature and seasoned scholars. The authors defend the relevance of literary studies in today’s world, emphasizing that thinking about literature is not only about understanding stories but also about thinking about life itself.

Review Highlights:

• "A lively, shrewd introduction to literary study... explains that thinking about literature is thinking about everything else." —Jonathan Culler

• "A practical guide to understanding and enjoying literary works, while also demonstrating why literature is important." —Derek Attridge

• "The duo of Bennett and Royle is to reading carefully and thinking deeply about literature what Strunk and White are to writing well." —Daniel Robinson

This book is both an essential introduction for those starting their literary journey and a rewarding read for anyone with a love of literature.