《教你读懂文学的27堂课》

    Reading is an activity of the imagination*, and the imagination is not the writer’s alone. In the activity of reading and understanding literature, we try to find out why and how the writer tells the story.

    Looking at its title alone, you may think the book by Thomas C. Foster boring* and bookish, but that’s not true.

    For people who haven’t studied literature in college, you will never read literary fiction the same way after reading this book.

    It is a good guide which increases your understanding of literary fiction. The ideas and the many examples are helpful. To truly understand literary fiction, especially the well-written ones, first you have to know something about the author and you have to ask a lot of questions. You have to ask, “What does this mean? What’s its significance* in the story?”

    What does it mean when a fictional hero takes a journey? Shares a meal? Gets caught in a sudden rain shower? Often, there is much more going on in a novel or poem than is visible* on the surface*. You cannot be sure that you have got the deeper meaning of a literary text.

    In this interesting guide to literature, the author shows how easy and satisfying it is to unlock* those hidden truths, and to discover a world where a road leads to a quest*; a shared meal may mean communion*; and rain, whether cleansing* or destructive, is never just rain.

    From major themes* to literary models, narrative* devices, and form, the book will help make your reading experience more enriching*, satisfying, and fun.

    Both Chinese and English versions of the book are available at online bookstores.(SD-Agencies)