Play Book Tag discussion

How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Lively and Entertaining Guide to Reading Between the Lines by Thomas C. Foster - 4 stars

This book is a non-fiction guide by a professor at the University of Michigan-Flint on how to approach literary reading with a goal of better understanding. It is primarily focused on literature (loosely defined as works related to the human condition and what it means to be human) from the mid-twentieth century and prior. Foster provides insight to help the reader recognize memory, symbol, and pattern, citing examples from notable works. He provides “a broad introduction to the codes and patterns that inform our readings.”

The author desires to help readers decipher hidden meanings. He also admits that we can never know for sure what the author intended. Examples of topics include common themes, archetypes, metaphors, allegory, irony and more. A few specific content areas are examined in depth with supporting cases to show how to delve into the deeper meaning being conveyed, such as violence, sex, seasonality, weather, geography, markings, journeys, meals, and diseases. The author covers the widespread influences of Shakespeare, The Bible, fables, and Greek mythology. With a few exceptions, examples are derived primarily from British and American literature. Spoilers for these works are included to make his points.

One area I found particularly enjoyable was the discussion of how the works in the literary canon are inter-connected, and that authors are influenced by what they have read, known as “intertextuality.” I also appreciated the idea of a reader’s imagination engaging the imagination of the author, who may have lived many years ago, thus giving the reader an idea of his or her world and a sense of historical perspective. Near the end, a short story written by Karen Mansfield is included, and the reader is invited to practice interpretation of the text using the principles previously provided.

This book is written with humor, wit, and self-deprecation. The author does not claim to have all the answers and encourages readers to draw upon their own experiences. If a perspective is supportable in the work, it is valid. I appreciated the inclusion of a suggested reading list at the end. Recommended to people who enjoy analyzing what they read, students that need to read literature for classes, and life-long learners.

Memorable Quote:
“A reader’s imagination is the act of one creative intelligence engaging another.”

Link to My Review

Great review to a really enjoyable book.

Idit wrote: "Great review to a really enjoyable book."
Thanks!

Lovely review- fun fact-My daughter had him as a Prof.

This looks great, thanks for the thoughtful review!

I have been interested in a book like this to become a better reader and this sounds like it fits the bill, thank you for the review!

How cool, Joanne! He sounds like the kind of professor I would have loved to have in school.

Thanks, Nikki and Meli!