Bookverdict.com

What is the purpose of an anthology? According to the General Introduction to this set, it "conveys the flavour of an author as nothing but reading that author can. And when an author is compared to his or her fellow writers . . . the reader gains several extra dimensions, not least an insight into what thoughts, what fears, what delights have occupied writers at different times.'' Of course. But curricular concerns aside, do people really read anthologies? In this reviewer's experience, in academia, seldom--in libraries, almost never. With that in mind, it can be said that this set delivers the array of British literature reasonably well. All volumes are chronologically arranged. Print is sharp (easier to read than, say, a Norton anthology), and annotations are good if minimal. The largest general problem is that this set is a companion...Log In or Sign Up to Read More