Top English Literature and Literary Studies

The best English Literature includes The Great War and Its Modern Memory (Paperback), Paradise Lost (Hackett Classics) by Milton, Macbeth (The Arden Shakespeare Third Series) and many others as mentioned below.

1

The Great War and Its Modern Memory (Paperback)

  • Winner of National Book Award and Critics Circle Award.
  • Acknowledged as one of the 100 Best Non-Fiction Books.
  • Explores trauma of modern warfare in unique ways.
  • Focuses on notable World War I writers and poets.
  • Grounds literature in historical context of the war.
  • Restored edition includes new introduction by Jay Winter.
  • Accessible scholarship with haunting detail and ambition.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $28.95
2

Paradise Lost (Hackett Classics) by Milton

  • Newly edited text of Milton's 1674 edition.
  • Modernized spelling and punctuation for easier reading.
  • Marginal glosses define unfamiliar words efficiently.
  • Extensive annotations clarify syntax and poetics.
  • Explores literary, biblical, and political allusions.
  • David Kastan's Introduction addresses interpretative issues.
  • Includes biography and chronology of Milton's life.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $13.00
3

Macbeth (The Arden Shakespeare Third Series)

  • Comprehensive edition for students and teachers.
  • Incorporates recent modern scholarship insights.
  • Detailed on-page commentary enhances understanding.
  • Illustrated introduction provides historical context.
  • Explores critical debates on Middleton's co-authorship.
  • Readable format for easy classroom use.
  • Ideal for in-depth exploration of the play.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $12.95
4

Tales of the Elders of Ireland

  • First complete translation of Acallam na Senórach.
  • Rich collection of Fenian stories and poetry.
  • Interweaves Christian and pagan worlds effectively.
  • Accessible and clear new translation available.
  • Includes expert introduction and detailed annotations.
  • Reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarly excellence.
  • Ideal for enthusiasts of Irish literature.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $14.95
5

The Discarded Image: Medieval Literature Overview

  • Insightful exploration of medieval world view.
  • Background on medieval and Renaissance literature.
  • Describes discarded medieval synthesis of knowledge.
  • Illuminates theology, science, and history connections.
  • Final work of renowned scholar C.S. Lewis.
  • Celebrated for its clarity and depth.
  • A must-read for literature enthusiasts.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $15.70
6

The Tempest: Norton Critical Edition (Paperback, 224 pages)

  • Reliable text with detailed explanatory annotations.
  • Rich collection of thematic source materials.
  • Seventeen scholarly essays, including seven new ones.
  • Nineteen rescriptings highlighting lasting literary inspiration.
  • Selected bibliography for further research.
  • Three-part format for comprehensive understanding.
  • Over 12 million students have benefited.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $12.08
7

Tristram Shandy: Life and Opinions (Paperback)

  • Innovative and whimsical narrative style.
  • Features beloved characters like Uncle Toby and Parson Yorick.
  • Includes illustrations by renowned artist William Hogarth.
  • Retains Sterne's original typography and text layout.
  • Comprehensive notes reveal references and sources.
  • Updated introduction enhances understanding of the novel.
  • Celebrates 250th anniversary of first volume publication.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $11.11
8

Hamlet (Norton Critical Edition)

  • Includes The Second Quarto text by Robert S. Miola.
  • Eighteen illustrations spanning 1604 to 2008.
  • Features actors reflecting on their Hamlet roles.
  • Seventeen diverse critical interpretations included.
  • Fifteen reflections on Hamlet's afterlives presented.
  • Comprehensive bibliography of resources provided.
  • Standard edition for undergraduate literature studies.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $20.60
9

Complete Sonnets and Poems: Oxford Classics

  • Complete collection of Shakespeare's sonnets and poems.
  • Fully annotated and modernized for easy understanding.
  • Includes poems attributed to Shakespeare posthumously.
  • Comprehensive introduction discussing poetic development.
  • Detailed notes on language and literary allusions.
  • Reflects recent scholarship and critical perspectives.
  • Part of the trusted Oxford World's Classics series.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $14.44
10

William Wordsworth: Major Works (Oxford Classics)

  • Comprehensive selection of Wordsworth's major works.
  • Includes The Prelude and key narratives.
  • Celebrates nature and everyday beauty.
  • Reflects Wordsworth's innovative poetic vision.
  • Expert introductions and scholarly notes included.
  • Affordable volume from Oxford World's Classics series.
  • Trace Wordsworth's poetic development through composition order.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $17.12
11

Old English Edition: Intro to Old English

  • Updated third edition for enhanced learning.
  • Designed for first-time Old English learners.
  • No prior language expertise required.
  • Basic grammar reviews in each chapter.
  • Includes mini-texts for practice reading.
  • New anthology readings included.
  • Features King Alfred's Preface selection.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $38.87
12

Gerard Manley Hopkins: Major Works (Oxford Classics)

  • Comprehensive collection of Hopkins's poetry and prose.
  • Features renowned poems like "The Wreck of the Deutschland."
  • Includes lesser-known works and translations.
  • Chronological arrangement highlights evolving themes and ideas.
  • Established from original manuscripts for accuracy.
  • Includes excerpts from journals and spiritual writings.
  • Part of Oxford World's Classics prestigious series.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $11.90
13

Culture and Anarchy (Oxford World's Classics)

  • Explores culture and society's essential questions.
  • Contrasts culture with mid-Victorian anarchy.
  • Original 1869 edition with historical context.
  • Includes expert introduction and extensive notes.
  • Discusses relevance in multi-culturalism and post-modernism.
  • Part of Oxford World's Classics series.
  • Affordable classic literature for scholars and readers.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $13.95
14

King Lear (Cambridge School Shakespeare Edition)

  • Improved, larger-format edition of King Lear.
  • Extensively rewritten and visually appealing design.
  • Active approach engages students with Shakespeare's world.
  • Thematic classroom activities enhance learning experience.
  • Expanded endnotes provide essay-writing guidance.
  • Rich color photos showcase global performances.
  • Additional resources available online for further support.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $14.80
15

The Faerie Queene, Book One [Hackett Classics]

  • Explores themes of chivalry and romance.
  • Richly written in Spenser's unique stanza form.
  • Christian allegory woven into a classic narrative.
  • Features the heroic journey of Redcrosse Knight.
  • Vivid descriptions of fantastical creatures and settings.
  • Engages with Protestant and Catholic theological debates.
  • A captivating introduction to epic poetry traditions.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $15.00
16

Selected Writings (Oxford World's Classics)

  • Selected writings from John Ruskin's extensive oeuvre.
  • Includes extracts from major works and lesser-known texts.
  • Features Ruskin's own illustrations for enhanced understanding.
  • Authoritative introduction outlines Ruskin's life and relevance.
  • Part of the esteemed Oxford World's Classics series.
  • Offers valuable notes and bibliographies for further study.
  • Affordable edition reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $13.90
17

Shakespeare and Malone: Chronology Challenges

  • Explores Edmond Malone's contributions to Shakespeare scholarship.
  • Analyzes three versions of Malone's Attempt.
  • Details the impact on Shakespeare's play chronology.
  • Reveals Malone's influential yet fallible editorial choices.
  • Highlights how current editions are shaped by Malone.
  • Offers insights into historical editing practices.
  • Essential reading for Shakespeare enthusiasts and scholars.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $22.00
18

Rethinking Theatrical Documents: Shakespeare's England

  • Explores early modern theatrical documents and practices.
  • Features contributions from fifteen leading scholars.
  • Analyzes documents before, during, and after performances.
  • Highlights entangled relationships between various theatrical texts.
  • Offers new perspectives on theatre and book history.
  • Available as open access ebook on bloomsburycollections.com.
  • Funded by Knowledge Unlatched to promote accessibility.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $32.87
19

Lord Byron: The Complete Works (Oxford Classics)

  • Complete collection of Byron's poetry and prose.
  • Includes major works and essential letters.
  • Features Childe Harold's Pilgrimage and Don Juan.
  • Showcases dramatic poems like Manfred and Cain.
  • Access insightful letters and journal extracts.
  • Part of the esteemed Oxford World's Classics series.
  • Expert introductions and detailed notes for clarity.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $17.12
20

The Norton Shakespeare: Third Edition [Vol 4]

  • Enhanced digital edition for undergraduate students.
  • Freshly edited text with acclaimed apparatus.
  • Attractive hardcover volume for dorm shelf.
  • Digital edition accessible via registration code.
  • Compatible with computers, tablets, and smartphones.
  • Affordable bundle provides great reading experience.
  • Innovative approach to teaching Shakespeare effectively.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $105.00
21

Major Works (Oxford World's Classics Edition)

  • Comprehensive collection of John Clare's poetry.
  • Includes autobiographical writings and letters.
  • Showcases love, nature, and bird poems.
  • Features minimal editorial interference for authenticity.
  • Introduction by renowned poet Tom Paulin.
  • Part of the prestigious Oxford World's Classics series.
  • Affordable volumes with expert scholarship and annotations.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $16.78
22

The Taming of the Shrew: Norton Critical Edition

  • Based on Shakespeare’s First Folio (1623).
  • Includes detailed explanatory annotations for clarity.
  • Features historical sources and contexts for deeper understanding.
  • Offers a wide range of critical essays.
  • Includes adaptations from the last four centuries.
  • Selected bibliography for further reading provided.
  • Ideal for students and Shakespeare enthusiasts alike.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $18.95
23

Black Shakespeare: Interpreting Race Dynamics

  • Explores systemic whiteness in Shakespeare's interpretations.
  • Analyzes racialized blackness and whiteness in plays.
  • Engages Black American intellectual traditions with European thought.
  • Focuses on Othello, The Merchant of Venice, and Hamlet.
  • Addresses racial illiteracy in critical Shakespeare studies.
  • Offers an anti-racist alternative for reading Shakespeare.
  • Transforms understanding of Shakespeare through race analysis.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $32.77
24

The Case for Shakespeare (Paperback)

  • Explores Shakespeare's authorship with compelling evidence.
  • Debunks alternative authorship theories like Edward de Vere.
  • Investigates historical records and literary works meticulously.
  • Presents a thorough analysis of conflicting arguments.
  • Reinforces Shakespeare's identity as the true playwright.
  • Offers a clear, convincing narrative for readers.
  • Engagingly written for both scholars and general readers.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $65.00
25

The Faerie Queene, Book Six (Hackett Classics)

  • Explores themes of order and chaos in poetry.
  • Features the moral dilemmas of Calidore, the knight.
  • Highlights Spenser's personal anxieties and struggles.
  • Includes the beautiful dance of the Graces.
  • Discusses the mythic origins of Spenser's world.
  • Last sections of the unfinished masterpiece published.
  • Provokes critical debate on literary interpretations.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $14.00
26

Gothic Tales (Oxford World's Classics) [Edition]

  • Collection of over thirty gothic tales.
  • Includes haunting themes and terror-inducing elements.
  • Explores Doyle's medical background and spiritualism.
  • Darryl Jones provides insightful introduction.
  • Contradictions in Doyle’s life examined profoundly.
  • Perfect for fans of classic gothic literature.
  • Offers a glimpse into Victorian anxieties.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $13.19
27

The Roaring Girl: City Comedies (Oxford Classics)

  • Collection of four classic city comedies.
  • Includes works by notable playwrights.
  • Freshly edited text with modern spelling.
  • Comprehensive critical introduction provided.
  • Extensive annotations clarify cultural contexts.
  • Informative bibliography for further study.
  • Part of Oxford World's Classics series.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $11.72
28

Timon of Athens (The Arden Shakespeare)

  • Explores themes of greed and societal corruption.
  • Detailed annotations enhance understanding of the text.
  • Collaboration with Thomas Middleton highlighted in edition.
  • Offers critical and theatrical interpretations of the play.
  • Rich production history connects with various historical moments.
  • Insightful introduction contextualizes play's relevance today.
  • Suitable for both scholars and casual readers.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $14.95
29

Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde CliffsNotes

  • Comprehensive guide to Stevenson’s classic novel.
  • Explores the duality of human nature.
  • Summaries and commentaries for each chapter.
  • Includes character analysis and insights.
  • Provides review questions for deeper understanding.
  • Suggested essay topics for critical thinking.
  • Essential resource for literature students and enthusiasts.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $8.99