Reading Between the Lines: A Christian Guide to Literature (Redesign)

by Gene Edward Veith Jr.

Overview

Veith helps readers cultivate good literary taste and to make informed choices by understanding how the major genres of literature communicate.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781433529740
Publisher:	Crossway
Publication date:	01/31/2013
Series:	Turning Point Christian Worldview Series
Edition description:	Redesign
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Gene Edward Veith (PhD, University of Kansas) is provost and professor of literature emeritus at Patrick Henry College. He previously worked as the culture editor of World magazine. Veith and his wife, Jackquelyn, have three grown children and seven grandchildren.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xi

Preface xiii

1 The Word and the Image: The Importance of Reading 17

2 Vicarious Experience and Vicarious Sin: The Importance of Criticism 27

The Forms of Literature

3 Nonfiction: The Art of Truth-Telling 49

4 Fiction: The Art of Story-Telling 59

5 Poetry: The Art of Singing 79

The Modes of Literature

6 Tragedy and Comedy: The Literature of Damnation and Salvation 101

7 Realism: Literature as a Mirror 117

8 Fantasy: Literature as a Lamp 129

The Traditions of Literature

9 The Middle Ages and the Reformation: The Literature of Belief 151

10 The Enlightenment and Romanticism: The Literature of Nature and the Self 169

11 Modernism and Postmodernism: The Literature of Consciousness and Self-Consciousness 191

12 The Makers of Literature: Writers, Publishers, and Readers 215

Appendix: A Reading List 227

Notes 233

Scripture Index 249

General Index 251

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Reading Between the Lines is thoroughly enjoyable and thoroughly literate—a magnificent blending of history, literature, and theology that will be welcomed by professionals and laity alike.”
—Wayne Martindale, Professor of English, Wheaton College; author, Beyond the Shadowlands: C. S. Lewis on Heaven and Hell

“What a superb resource this is! It resonates with profound perceptions of how good literature works to enrich and illuminate us. Dr. Veith proves himself once again to be a knowledgeable guide through the landscape of the written word.”
—Luci Shaw, author, God in the Dark and Polishing the Petoskey Stone

“Veith has written on important topics with his usual clarity, good sense, organizing ability, and comprehensiveness. The scope of this project is impressive.”
—Leland Ryken, Emeritus Professor of English, Wheaton College

“Veith makes it clear that the joys of reading can be deep joys of the type which can enliven our souls. This book should raise significantly the cultural level of evangelicalism.”
—Edward E. Ericson Jr., Professor Emeritus of English, Calvin College