---
product_id: 15228459
title: "English Literature: A Very Short Introduction"
price: "₨11603"
currency: LKR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
url: https://www.desertcart.lk/products/15228459-english-literature-a-very-short-introduction
store_origin: LK
region: Sri Lanka
---

# English Literature: A Very Short Introduction

**Price:** ₨11603
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

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- **What is this?** English Literature: A Very Short Introduction
- **How much does it cost?** ₨11603 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.lk](https://www.desertcart.lk/products/15228459-english-literature-a-very-short-introduction)

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## Description

A renowned critic, biographer, and Shakespeare scholar, Jonathan Bate provides in this Very Short Introduction a lively and engaging overview of the literature that Jorge Luis Borges called "the richest in the world." From the medieval "Hymn of Caedmon" to George Orwell's "Why I Write," from Jane Austen to Ian McEwan, and from Winnie the Pooh to Dr. Johnson, this brilliant, compact survey stretches across the centuries, exploring the major literary forms (poetry, novel, drama, essay and more), the many histories and theories of the very idea of literature, and the role of writers in shaping English, British, and post-imperial identities. Bate illuminates the work of Chaucer, Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Dickens, and many other major figures of English literature. He looks at the Renaissance, Romanticism, and Modernism, at the birth of the novel and the Elizabethan invention of the idea of a national literature, and at the nature of writing itself. Ranging from children's literature to biography, this is an indispensable guide and an inspiration for anyone interested in England's magnificent literary heritage.

Review: A survey of the realm... - Author Jonathan Bate takes the reader on a tour of the realm of English Literature. Along the way, he samples authors and literary genres, while carefully avoiding taking sides. He even dares to wrestle with the larger problem of definition (does English Lit include Irish, Welsh, and Scottish authors too?). It may be that he and the reader will just have to muddle through and enjoy the journey. At only 166 pages of text, this book can only be the briefest of surveys. The author has done his due diligence; the book is very readable. Well recommended, even if your last encounter was high school's English Lit.
Review: Splendid introduction - Sir Jonathan is brilliant. Do yourself a favor: read everything he has published, and take his classes on futurelearn.com

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #987,501 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #194 in European Literature (Books) #474 in British & Irish Literary Criticism (Books) #568 in English Literature |
| Customer Reviews | 4.4 out of 5 stars 214 Reviews |

## Images

![English Literature: A Very Short Introduction - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81F5Uv4jYXL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A survey of the realm...
*by H***E on May 7, 2020*

Author Jonathan Bate takes the reader on a tour of the realm of English Literature. Along the way, he samples authors and literary genres, while carefully avoiding taking sides. He even dares to wrestle with the larger problem of definition (does English Lit include Irish, Welsh, and Scottish authors too?). It may be that he and the reader will just have to muddle through and enjoy the journey. At only 166 pages of text, this book can only be the briefest of surveys. The author has done his due diligence; the book is very readable. Well recommended, even if your last encounter was high school's English Lit.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Splendid introduction
*by C***R on May 2, 2016*

Sir Jonathan is brilliant. Do yourself a favor: read everything he has published, and take his classes on futurelearn.com

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Interesting reading.
*by R***R on September 4, 2016*

The author assumes a knowledge of English literature, while summarizing periods of English literature. I am not sure who the audience is supposed to be. It is interesting reading but not what I expected.

## Frequently Bought Together

- English Literature: A Very Short Introduction
- Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction
- Classical Literature: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

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*Product available on Desertcart Sri Lanka*
*Store origin: LK*
*Last updated: 2026-08-03*