Mastering the Novels of Jane Austenis the ideal companion for anyone studying the works of this endearing literary figure. An engaging account of the six most-read Austen novels, this book captures the imagination with its fresh and lively approach.

It provides a detailed critique of Northanger Abbey, Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, and Persuasion, linking the significance of the works from the past to the present day in the light of contemporary attitudes to women, tradition, and innovation. The book explores the influence of art, architecture, music, literature, theology, philosophy, history and politics in the novels, and discusses both traditional and contemporary literary theory, examining Austen's use of wit and irony, and the nuances of her vocabulary.

A must-have guide for anyone preparing for exams or looking to gain the maximum satisfaction from their reading of the novels of this much-loved author.

Mastering Shakespeare

by Richard Gill

Published 10 August 1998
Mastering Shakespeare covers in detail the plays set in the National Curriculum through GCSE and A-Level to the major elements of Shakespearean drama studied in further education courses.

The book is divided into sections that deal with comedy, tragedy and history. Also included are detailed sections on the most popular plays in the theatre and in the examination room.

The book deals with the basic themes of Shakespeare, the kinds of characters he created, the stories he was attracted to, and the ways in which the plays work out on stage. Among the plays studied are A Midsummer Night's Dream, Merchant of Venice, Julius Caesar, Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet.