On the Art of Reading

In 1920, prolific literary critic Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch (1863-1944) gave twelve lectures on this question, informed by his experience establishing the English Tripos course at Cambridge. How does the reading of literature help us better understand the spiritual element of man? What should children read? How do we choose what to read, out of countless options? What makes a work of literature a ‘masterpiece’? Sir Arthur confronts these and other questions that many diligent readers have asked themselves at some time. Rich with edifying instruction, "On the Art of Reading" is a marvelous guide for lovers of English literature who wish to graduate from passive to active reading.