AP English Book Suggestions

[mystery_spell]

I'm currently taking an AP English Literature and Composition class as a senior in high school. We have to choose a book that has at least five literary criticisms (preferably from different time periods) about it.

I'm having some trouble with this. While there are many books that I'd like to read, they do not always have enough critical works written about them.

Would anyone help me, please? Suggestions would be wonderful. Links to literary criticisms on the selection would be super appreciated. I would beg, but that doesn't seem to do much via internet. ;) Please and thank you ahead of time!

[LitNetIsGreat]

The best thing to do is go to a good library and do some digging. If you have to select various critical view-points from different times, it would seem logical to choose a book at written in the 19th century or beyond. I am not sure of the dictates of the American schooling system (I don’t even know what high school is 16-18?) so I don’t know what is exactly required of you for this project. If you were to choose something “safe” say Austen, Hardy, Dickens, James, Twain, or something of that nature, assuming that it is a novel you need to study, then you should find loads of critical material quite easy in a good library.

[JBI]

Jane Austen's Emma. That book has countless critical works about it, from contemporaries to contemporary times.

[mystery_spell]

The best thing to do is go to a good library and do some digging. If you have to select various critical view-points from different times, it would seem logical to choose a book at written in the 19th century or beyond. I am not sure of the dictates of the American schooling system (I don’t even know what high school is 16-18?) so I don’t know what is exactly required of you for this project. If you were to choose something “safe” say Austen, Hardy, Dickens, James, Twain, or something of that nature, assuming that it is a novel you need to study, then you should find loads of critical material quite easy in a good library.
I agree with your logic about choosing a book from the 19th century or beyond, which is exactly why my current book search is crazy. An AP class is a college level course for which it is possible to get college credit based on the student's score on the AP exam in the specified course. High school is from 14-18, and I'm almost 18. AP level courses, especially my English one, are extremely demanding. I love Austen, so I was looking to do one of her works. I particularly wanted to read Sense and Sensibility but ,for some reason, was unable to find many literary criticisms on it. Thank you for your suggestions! :D I think I shall go and look up some of James' works as well.


Jane Austen's Emma. That book has countless critical works about it, from contemporaries to contemporary times.
I was also considering that book, and it is definitely a worthy choice. Thanks!

[Mag Master 21]

Twain might be a good place to look.

[kelby_lake]

Choose something controversial maybe, like Lady Chatterley's Lover, or something that was deemed shocking when it was written. By looking at modern views, you can compare the change.

[mystery_spell]

Twain might be a good place to look.
While Twain would typically be a nice choice, I'm afraid that it's not on the possible list.


Choose something controversial maybe, like Lady Chatterley's Lover, or something that was deemed shocking when it was written. By looking at modern views, you can compare the change.
I was thinking something controversial would be best because it would have a lot of criticism written about it; however, my English teacher surely would not like--or even allow--me to do a book like Lady Chatterley's Lover! Though it is a fantastic suggestion!


I'm having some difficulty still. I'd still really like to read Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility or perhaps Kate Chopin's The Awakening. However, I'm still having trouble finding literary criticisms from five different time periods (because we need to see whether or not the criticisms changed). I've tried literary criticism databases but seem to be having trouble finding criticisms from before the 1980's. Needless to say, this is rather frustrating. If anyone has any suggestions for finding literary criticisms, I could use those as well!

Thank you again for all of your help!

[dafydd manton]

You could do worse than Alan Sillitoe's "Saturday Night, Sunday morning". It's a bit grim, being set in industrial England in the late sixties, but it's well known, and far from safe, although not with Lady Chatterley's notoriety. (Added to which, it was tedious, but that's just an opinion!!)

[mystery_spell]

You could do worse than Alan Sillitoe's "Saturday Night, Sunday morning". It's a bit grim, being set in industrial England in the late sixties, but it's well known, and far from safe, although not with Lady Chatterley's notoriety. (Added to which, it was tedious, but that's just an opinion!!)
Perhaps it's just me, but I found absolutely nothing on this book--not one literary criticism. >_< It does sound like an interesting book though, and I'll have to add it to my ever-growing list of must-reads.

[LitNetIsGreat]

I was thinking something controversial would be best because it would have a lot of criticism written about it; however, my English teacher surely would not like--or even allow--me to do a book like Lady Chatterley's Lover! Though it is a fantastic suggestion!

My god why not?


I'm having some difficulty still. I'd still really like to read Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility or perhaps Kate Chopin's The Awakening. However, I'm still having trouble finding literary criticisms from five different time periods (because we need to see whether or not the criticisms changed). I've tried literary criticism databases but seem to be having trouble finding criticisms from before the 1980's. Needless to say, this is rather frustrating. If anyone has any suggestions for finding literary criticisms, I could use those as well!

Finding online criticism without using JSTOR is troublesome at the best of times, even with JSTOR I personally don't find many articles per essay of much value, one or two at the most, which is why I advised the library because that is what works for me. The problem with online criticism is that you cannot guarantee the strength of the criticism you are using, quite simply there's too much rubbish out there. Maybe someone else will be able to point you in the right direction online if you can't get access to JSTOR. Good luck with it anyway.

[kelby_lake]

You could persuade your teacher- I'm sure if you asked without giggling they'd let you.

If not, try something which was very of its era and see how it relates to now. The Great Gatsby might be good for that- and it's short.

Ambiguous books are good, ones with multiple themes, because different critics will pick up on different things.

[mystery_spell]

Neely: I'm working on the whole accessing JSTOR thing. I'm sure my school has a password that I can use... :)

kelby_lake: Thanks for the suggestion. That book is definitely going on my list! I'm not allowed to read The Great Gatsby because it was a book that we read last year.

Thanks for all of the help, everyone! I've decided to read Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility. Now it's finding the literary criticisms from different time periods that's going to be the difficult part ;)

[LitNetIsGreat]

Neely: I'm working on the whole accessing JSTOR thing. I'm sure my school has a password that I can use... :)

kelby_lake: Thanks for the suggestion. That book is definitely going on my list! I'm not allowed to read The Great Gatsby because it was a book that we read last year.

Thanks for all of the help, everyone! I've decided to read Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility. Now it's finding the literary criticisms from different time periods that's going to be the difficult part ;)

Oh good choice, that should work quite well, thanks for coming back and letting us know what you chose, I'm interested in things you know.

Don't forget a decent library is your best bet, you could also look for a "casebook series" they sometimes have collections of criticisms altogether in one volume from a range of different people.

Like this but not for Emma obviously:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jane-Austens-Emma-Selection-Casebooks/dp/0333019547/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234214780&sr=8-1

[mystery_spell]

I'm glad that you approve of my choice. :)

I will probably end up making a visit to my local library and maybe my high school library as well. Hopefully they will have some sort of material that will be useful to me.

I will definitely look for some "casebook series" because the example that you posted looks quite helpful.

Thank you again for all of your help!

[Schokokeks]

I will definitely look for some "casebook series" because the example that you posted looks quite helpful.

Or you could try the "Norton Critical Edition" of Sense and Sensibility, here: http://www.amazon.com/Sense-Sensibility-Norton-Critical-Editions/dp/039397751X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234217387&sr=8-1
The series always prints the text with a collection of source material (such as earlier sketches by the author) and critical essays on it (from the publication date of the work up to today). I found this very helpful for a lot of my school essays, too :nod:.

And then of course, there's the terrific movie starring Kate Winslet and Emma Thompson! Not exactly literary criticism, but nice to get you in the mood ;).

Have fun reading! ;)

[five-trey]

Moby-Dick might have been a great choice.


It received lukewarm reviews when it was first published; a century later it was hailed as an American classic; and today there's a rift between those who LOVE it and the rest who think it needs to be cut short 400 pages. As far as literary criticism you're covered.


Plus its an incredible novel. One of the deepest books you'll ever read. And one of the most difficult books to read.

[PoeticPassions]

An Austen biographer, Claire Tomalin, has some good critiques of this book... and she wrote her biography in 1997 or earlier, so you could use that, plus there are some critiques now (10 years later). You could also try to find: Southam, "Criticism, 1870-1940", The Jane Austen Companion.. or THE CAMBRIDGE COMPANION TO JANE AUSTEN... sorry I could not be of more help... but that's all I have for now :)

[mystery_spell]

Or you could try the "Norton Critical Edition" of Sense and Sensibility, here: http://www.amazon.com/Sense-Sensibil...4217387&sr=8-1
The series always prints the text with a collection of source material (such as earlier sketches by the author) and critical essays on it (from the publication date of the work up to today). I found this very helpful for a lot of my school essays, too .

And then of course, there's the terrific movie starring Kate Winslet and Emma Thompson! Not exactly literary criticism, but nice to get you in the mood .

Have fun reading!
Yes, that is a fantastic idea! I will make sure to look for a copy of the Norton Critical Edition. Thank you! :D


Moby-Dick might have been a great choice.
I've read parts of it before, and it would definitely have been a good choice. However, I cannot change my choice now.


An Austen biographer, Claire Tomalin, has some good critiques of this book... and she wrote her biography in 1997 or earlier, so you could use that, plus there are some critiques now (10 years later). You could also try to find: Southam, "Criticism, 1870-1940", The Jane Austen Companion.. or THE CAMBRIDGE COMPANION TO JANE AUSTEN... sorry I could not be of more help... but that's all I have for now
This is very helpful! Thank you very much!