Reviews

A Little History of Literature by John Sutherland

nila's review against another edition

funny informative lighthearted fast-paced

3.5

Well-written and great summary of important moments in the history of literature. Sutherland's writing style is very charming and I think I'd love this as an audiobook. 

Just be aware that if you haven't read a lot of classics (and you're planning to) this will spoil all of them. So I did skim/skip certain parts that were about classics still on my TBR

cintia_nagy's review

informative medium-paced

3.0

hitty's review against another edition

informative inspiring medium-paced

4.0

Some cool insights, but not deep. 

happylilkt's review

Didn't hold my interest.

illyanadallas222's review

5.0

This book, written by a professor at a London Uni is an easy to follow guide to why the books we choose and the authors we love represent our humanity throughout time. From the beginning of Beowulf to the legendary Brontë Trio to the ultimate pessimist which is Hardy to Fifty Shades. All 40 chapters were full of life and I enjoyed in one sitting! Yes, it was that good..

autoluminescent2001's review

informative fast-paced

3.5

margariinimari's review against another edition

medium-paced

3.25

dnietoperafan's review against another edition

funny hopeful informative lighthearted medium-paced

3.0

Very interesting book. It took me a while to get through it, just because it didn't particularly hook me. But I will definitely read others in the A Little History series. 

katya_s's review

informative slow-paced

2.5

htoo's review

informative medium-paced

3.0

This book should be call “A Little History of Literature in English.” Overall, it was an informative read. The author’s exaltation of English literature can be annoying at times. There’s a point where he called Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq) “the cradle of Western civilization.” Ironic considering merry old England helped invade said country. The chapters on empire and race are extremely lacking. That Philip Roth example was cringe. I wish the author would acknowledge that Shakespeare is known worldwide not because he is “great,” but because colonialism does a lot of the heavy lifting. End of rant.