English Literature is the study of written works in the English language — from timeless poetry and Shakespearean drama to contemporary novels and diverse voices from around the world. All the books on the list "100 Best Novels Written in English " from The Guardian. Respected literary critic Robert McCrum selects the definitive 100 novels written in English . English literature is more than a shelf of beloved books; it is a vast record of how Anglophone writers have wrestled with power, faith, beauty, and belonging for almost 1,600 years 123. From an anonymous scop chanting Beowulf in an Anglo-Saxon hall to contemporary poets confronting climate crisis, the tradition maps both the outer facts of history and the inner life of the mind. This post traces that story, highlights defining themes and techniques, and offers practical ways to read ... Here's a brief overview of commonly delineated periods in English literature , with author and title examples for each, from 450 to the present.
