This book is part of a series of Little Histories, such as the Little History of Poetry that I reviewed in 2020. The book is really well structured. After an introductory chapter entitled “What is Literature?”, it takes the reader through the various ages and kinds of literature in broadly chronological order. Thus we start with myths, and proceed via epics to Chaucer, Shakespeare and into the modern era.

This would be useful enough, especially given the author Sutherland’s gift for making what could be a dry and academic study readable. (Too readable, one might argue: it’s impossible to get an early night if you take this book to bed. How come? Because the chapters are both short and gripping, and often reference other chapters. Thus one starts off thinking “I’ll read one chapter”, but that quickly becomes, “Oh, I’ll just read …”!)

What makes this book stand out is that it contains very focused chapters on different aspects of literature (such as magic realism, censorship and copyright), and groups of writers (such as the War poets and “absurdist” writers like Kafka). It even discusses film and television, and possible futures.

You can read this book from cover to cover or dip into it at random. I found it hard to read from cover to cover for the reasons stated earlier: the book almost encourages the reader to leap about.

If you’re a teacher of English in England, or a student, you will be pleased to learn that the book in effect meets several of the Key Stage 3 criteria of the English Programme of Study. It would not be enough in itself, but as a way of introducing a particular topic of school in a gentle way it would be ideal. Also, it makes learning about literature enjoyable rather than a chore.

As for non-students whose memories of Eng Lit conjure up trying to make sense of Shakespeare, you may discover that “A Little History of Literature” will help you to erase such memories!

I was sent a complimentary copy of this book.