An Introduction to Literature, Criticism and Theory
Andrew Bennett; Nicholas Royle
Literature
73 selected books, grouped by course
A place to start
Literature: read closely before reaching for theory
Editorial guidance for university students, with independent learners in mind. This is not an official university reading plan. Check your own syllabus before buying; editions and exercise numbers differ.
Browse all books ↓Choose for your course
For a survey course, choose an anthology that matches its language, period and genres. For a seminar, the assigned primary text and edition matter more. Literary theory is useful when it helps you ask sharper questions of a work; it should not replace reading the work itself.
Suggested reading approach
- Annotate recurring images, voice, structure and changes in tone. Build a claim from specific passages rather than starting with a theme and forcing every detail to fit.
- When comparing translations or editions, note what changed and which text your course cites. Keep historical context separate from what the words on the page actually support.
Browse by course
Books are grouped by the course they are usually read for, then ordered from introductory to advanced.
Introduction to Literary Studies 6 books
