Feel bad about not reading or not enjoying the so-called great books? Donât sweat it, itâs not your fault. Did anyone tell you that Anna Karenina is a beach read, that Dickens is hilarious, that the Iliadâs battle scenes rival Hollywoodâs for gore, or that Joyce is at his best when heâs talking about booze, sex, or organ meats?
Writer and professor Jack Murnighan says itâs time to give literature another look, but this time youâll enjoy yourself. With a little help, youâll see just how great the great books are: how they can make you laugh, moisten your eyes, turn you on, and leave you awestruck and deeply moved. Beowulf on the Beach is your field guideâerudite, witty, and fun-lovingâfor helping you read and relish fifty of the biggest (and most skipped) classics of all time. For each book, Murnighan reveals how to get the most out of your reading and provides a crib sheet that includes the Buzz, the Best Line, Whatâs Sexy, and What to Skip.