CLASSICS OF BRITISH LITERATURE

Sutherland surveys nearly 1,400 years of prose and poetry from the British Isles. Even in a sizable volume of 48 half-hour lectures, much must necessarily be compressed or omitted. Even so, the professor manages to discuss that which other such courses leave out. For instance, he devotes an entire lecture to Aphra Behn (1640-1689), one of England's first female professional writers, and another to Africa-born Olauda Equiano, a former slave, and his 1789 autobiography. Sutherland has a British accent and a venerable sound. Speaking from notes rather than reading, he stammers annoyingly at times as he searches for the right word or phrase. But he more than compensates with his vast knowledge of his subject and his enthusiasm for it. Y.R. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2009]