How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Lively and Entertaining Guide to Reading Between the Lines

I wish I had read this 45 years ago, when I was studying fiction in college.

This is a pretty decent introduction to literature. As he states in the book, it's watered down Northrop Frye, which he recommends you read. Anatomy of Criticism: Four Essays. It's a primer, not a real study, and I think his flip tone is an attempt to ease non-readers into the mix. This is not a book for people who are already reading or have taken any of the basic lit classes. THIS IS NOT A CRITICISM. I believe this is the book he intended to write, and I think he did a decent job.

My only complaint after reading it once is his troubling mistake when recommending How to Read a Poem: And Fall in Love with Poetry. He says it is by Robert Pinsky, former poet laureate. It isn't. It's by Edward Hirsch.

A minor thing, but I'm shocked it wasn't corrected for the later editions.

I recommend: The Pleasures of Reading in an Ideological Age
Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them (P.S.)

Every high school student aiming for college should read this book. It is the surest way to deepen your reading comprehension while increasing the pleasure you get from reading. It may be a bit of a stretch for high school freshmen, but juniors and seniors should have no problem grasping Foster's main points. And yes, it is both engaging and lively. The author strikes just the right tone to keep the reading entertaining.

Heard about this book in an AP class for teachers. They were right. It's great. I'd love to require my high school students get a copy-but funding would be a problem.

After reading a certain review here I felt I must post. This book is not for English majors only. This book will open a reader's eyes to what is hidden within leterature. It gave me fresh insight into the background and symbols I had not even thought of before and allowed my reading to be what it was meant to be. Yes, Mr. Foster does enjoy refering to his favorite authors for clarity on a theme or idea he has presented, however, this is not a flaw but a preperation to lay a solid foundation in what the reader will need for their goal. The beauty of this book is in its goal. This book was written so that we can learn with our eyes open and our minds ready to recieve whatever an author might throw at us. I had my "ticket punched" in a lit. class but I got more from this book. Thanks Professor Foster.