A Little History of Literature

"文學的終身相伴，富足了人生的樂趣。" —— 約翰·瓦克米洛維奇（John Vukmirovich），《泰晤士文學》

 

本書的主題可說是包羅萬象：從希臘神話到漫畫，從《吉爾伽美什史詩》到《哈利波特》。文學光譜的漫漫長路，幾乎都被作者約翰·薩瑟蘭，涵蓋在書本之中。

約翰·薩瑟蘭要帶領讀者進行一場文學之旅，「穿越衣櫥」，向大家展示文學的奇妙的世界。在書中，他會向我們介紹了各種作品，幽默風趣又充滿知識——從《貝奧武夫》和莎士比亞到T.S.艾略特和喬治·奧威爾，從盎格魯-撒克遜符文的幽默笑話到《達文西密碼》。

對於年輕讀者，薩瑟蘭承諾提供一個合適的文學介紹，保證會引人入勝且富有教育意義。在享受文學的路上，這是不容錯過的好書！

 

A much-loved author brings the world of literature alive for all ages

This 'little history' takes on a very big subject: the glorious span of literature from Greek myth to graphic novels, from The Epic of Gilgamesh to Harry Potter. John Sutherland is perfectly suited to the task. He has researched, taught, and written on virtually every area of literature, and his infectious passion for books and reading has defined his own life. Now he guides young readers and the grown-ups in their lives on an entertaining journey 'through the wardrobe' to a greater awareness of how literature from across the world can transport us and help us to make sense of what it means to be human.

Sutherland introduces great classics in his own irresistible way, enlivening his offerings with humor as well as learning: Beowulf, Shakespeare, Don Quixote, the Romantics, Dickens, Moby Dick, The Waste Land, Woolf, 1984, and dozens of others. He adds to these a less-expected, personal selection of authors and works, including literature usually considered well below 'serious attention' - from the rude jests of Anglo-Saxon runes to The Da Vinci Code. With masterful digressions into various themes - censorship, narrative tricks, self-publishing, taste, creativity, and madness - Sutherland demonstrates the full depth and intrigue of reading. For younger readers, he offers a proper introduction to literature, promising to interest as much as instruct. For more experienced readers, he promises just the same.