Phrases and word combinations.
to read with intense interest
allegorical \symbolic significance
to read for instruction or edification
intelligent enjoyment
to hinder one’s enjoyment
to be clearly presented
alive and plausible
a judicious introduction
to be well constructed
onslaught of (the) critics
ponderous playfulness
vivid and thrilling descriptions of action
emotionally impressive
to give smth unique force
to get a real insight into smth
endowed by nature with smth
splendid blooming
to regard with deep compassion
What can you say about William Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) ? What are his best novels?
W.S. Maugham was a prolific writer, wasn’t he? What did he write about in his books?
What impressions do you have of Herman Melville from “Ten Novels and their authors?”
What is Moby Dick about ?
TEXT II.
This is a list of only the most famous English and American writers, giving their dates, saying for which kind of writing they are most famous and giving the name of their best-known work. The list was compiled by someone who would have enjoyed saying more. (Don’t miss the Conterbury Tales. They’re warm, funny, grave, full of unforgettable people and phrases and though it’s worth getting used to the not - too difficult Middle English of the original, there’s a good modern translation of David wright. That sort of thing). But this is a list purely for reference, - by the compiler hopes, students who are busy acquiring for themselves the desire to say more about a writer than his dates were this or that, and his best known work was that or this.
1. J.K. Folkien (1892-1973) - an English writer and university teacher best known for his fantasy books “The Hobbit” (Хоббит) and “The Lord of the Rings” (1954-1955).
2. James Joyce (1882-1941) - an Irish writer who greatly influenced the way English novels were written, with his use of unusual and invented words and different style of writing.
3. Joseph Heller Catch -22. Catch -22-a situation from which one is prevented from escaping by smth that is part of the situation itself (from the title of a book by J. Heller about the experiences of an American airforce pilot).
4. J.D. Salinger. (1919- ) The Catcher in the Rye. An American writer whose most famous book is “The Catcher in the Rye”.
5. John Steinbeck (1902-1968) - an american writer best known for his novels which show greater feelings and concern for poor people and their problems. His best known works are “The Grapes of Wrath”. He won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1962.
6. F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940) - an American writer known esp.for the books “Tender is the night” and “The Great Gatsby”.
7. William Golding (1911-1993) - an English writer who was given the 1983 Nobel Prize for literaure and is famous esp. for his novel “Lord of the Flies”.
8. Jack Kerouac (1923-69) - an American writer who was a leading figure of the 1950 beat generation. His books include “On the Road” and “Big Sur” (Биг Сур). “Beat generation” - the group of young people in the 1950 including the writers Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg (1926-1997), who refused to accept the volues of Western society. His poetry was considered unconventional because it did not follow the structure of traditional verse. Both writers were very good friends.
9. Aldous Huxley (1894-1963) - a British writer whose most book, “Brave New World” is about a society of the future which appears to be controlled by kindly means but which offers people little freedom.
10. Kenneth Graham - a Scottish writer famous esp. for his children’s story “The wind in the Willows”, whose character are all animals who live on the river bank. The main character are Mole, Ratly, Toad and Badger.
11. Alice Wolker (1944- ) - a black American writer of stories and poetry. Her most famous novel is “The Color Purple” (1982) , which won the Pulitzer Prize. In the book, a poor rural African- american writes about her struggle equality. “The Color Purple” was made into a movie in 1985.
12. C.S. Lewis (1898-1963) - an English writer, known for his children’s religious and adult literary works, esp. “Out of the Silent Planet “ (1938). “Perelandra” (1943), “That Hideous Strength” (1945), “The Chronicles of Narnia (1950-55).
13. D. Lawrence (1885-1930) - an English writer famous esp. for his stories of life in industrial society in which his characters show great strength of emotion, particularly love, and strong sexual desires. His best known books are “Sons and Lovers” and “Lady Chatterley’s Lover”. Several of his books were considered obscence when they were written, esp. “Lady Chatterley’s Lover” which was banned and not available until 1960.
14. Roald Dahl (1916-90)- a popular British writer esp. of children’s books which often combine frightening things with humour. “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” is about a poor boy who wins the chance to tour a magical chocolate factory.
15. Tom Wolfe (1931 - ) - an American writer known for his lively writing style in books such as “The Right Stuff” and “Bonfire of the Vanities”.