Book Reviews Due Oct. 16

British Literature Book Project #1

30 points.

 

A book reviewer discusses the overall quality of the a book and reveals just enough of the plot to intrigue the reader.  The writer will also discuss the overall quality of the book.   Follow the suggested format below—remember this outline is in Section Format (there will be and should be multiple paragraphs within each Section).  You always need a proper introduction and conclusion as well.

 

Section I--The first sentence of your book review should give the title of the book (underlined), the author's name, and a general statement.  Also include why or how did you select this book? Also give a brief plot outline that discusses the time frame, the setting, the amount of time that passes from the beginning to the end, the major conflict and lists characters.

 

Section II—Discuss SOME of these questions:

·         What is the time frame (setting) of the book? How do you know?  How much time elapses (passes) from the beginning to the end?

·         What characters did you enjoy most?  Least?  Why?

·         Which character changed the most?  Why and how?

·         What was the setting of the book?  How was the setting important to the story?  How did the setting affect the characters actions?

·         What is the main conflict in the story? How is it resolved? If you were the main character, what would you have done?

·         What message did you take away from this book?  What do you think was the theme of the book?

·         What did you think was the best and worst part of the book?

·         What surprised or confused you in this text?  Why?

 

Section III—British Connection—all of the outside reading in Brit Lit obviously have British authors—answer these questions please:

·         Some novels have a definite British flavour to them.  Does your novel stand out in any way that is particularly British? 

·         Discuss the language the author uses.  What words are unfamiliar?  What vocabulary words that we have had in class showed up in your book?   

·         Does the novel give you a glimpse into what life is like for British people?  Describe the setting. Is it set in England or one of the colonies? 

·         Characters—describe them and also indicate how they are portrayed by the author—what are some traits that make them British? 

·         Does it matter that the novel was written by a British person?  What about the reading of this novel has done to add to your understanding of the British culture? 

 

                Section IV—Review the book.  Why do you think the author gave the book its title?  What relationship does the title have to the story or character?   What lessons did you learn from this book?  Would you like to read other books by the same author? Why? If you could talk to the author, what would you say?  Would you recommend this book to other students? Why? What would you tell them to interest them in the book?