One of America's finest essayists writes about 40 literary masterpieces that have been wrongfully forgotten or were ignored in the first place.

A companion volume to the author's book, A Reader's Delight, a collection of essays rescues from obscurity thirty-three neglected gems of literature written for children, from the very young to adolescents. UP.

The Practice of Reading is a lucid and lively examination of the art of interpreting the novel in the context of recent developments in literary theory and criticism. Believing that reading is - or should be - a pleasurable, creative activity, the authors analyse a range of seven novels from the eighteenth century to the present, focusing upon the experiential dimensions of the reading process. What is the role of the reader? What happens when a novel is read? How far does meaning depend on the reader, and how far on the text? These and other related questions are explored in readings of novels as diverse as Tristram Shandy, Pride and Prejudice, Great Expectations, Daniel Deronda, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Beckett's Trilogy and Possession. In its insistence upon a return to the practice of close reading, the book represents a timely intervention in current literary debates. An accessible, informative and above all stimulating text for all university and college students of literature.

This December, when the first film of the projected 7-film adaptation of C.S. Lewis' classic Chronicles of Narnia series is released, millions of new fans will come to the books after seeing the film. And when they do, Passport to Narnia offers them the perfect place to start! Beahm provides an insightful book-by-book synopsis of the series -- without spoiling surprises! -- as well as an in-depth look at the forthcoming movie series. This book includes illustrations from fantasy artist Tim Kirk, as well as informational sidebars, trivia, and other fun and historical facts about Narnia and its creator, C.S. Lewis.

Jane Austen's novels have been widely read and discussed, but one topic that is rarely studied is her use of speech. In this volume, writers from around the world consider Austen's sometimes playful, always witty and significant use of dialogue. Features contributions from Juliet McMaster, Isobel Grundy, Linda Bree, Gary Kelly, Jan Fergus, Jocelyn Harris, Kay Young and others.