This text offers a unique combination of English, European, American and Post-Colonial perspectives on literary study from the 1920s to the present day. Carefully introduced and arranged to highlight the development of debates, it is designed to engage newcomers to the field with some of the main themes and issues that will concern them as readers of modern literary texts of all genres.In the second edition, there is an increased focus on questions of gender and identity and on recent debates, such as "Literature and Nation" and "Literature and Value." The reach and relevance of the book has been extended, including more writers and critics from the world beyond Europe.