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English Literature A Level Novels and Plays

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10 Must Read Books For A-Level English Literature Students

Calling all A-Level English Literature students! We've carefully selected 10 essential books that are an absolute must-read for your literary education. These classics will captivate your imagination, challenge your thinking, and broaden your horizons. From timeless classics to thought-provoking contemporary works, these books have earned their rightful place in the literary canon. Titles include To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Beloved by Toni Morrison.

• Books For English Literature Students

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Calling all A-Level English Literature students! We've carefully selected 10 essential books that are an absolute must-read for your literary education. These classics will captivate your imagination, challenge your thinking, and broaden your horizons. 

From timeless classics to thought-provoking contemporary works, these books have earned their rightful place in the literary canon. Titles include To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Beloved by Toni Morrison.

Here are 10 books that English literature students might consider reading to broaden their knowledge:

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (1813)

"Pride and Prejudice" is a renowned novel that follows the story of Elizabeth Bennet, a witty and independent young woman living in 19th-century England. Austen's work explores themes of love, marriage, social class, and the expectations placed upon women during that time. 

Students of English Literature should read "Pride and Prejudice" to appreciate Austen's keen observation of societal norms, her skillful characterization, and her sharp wit, which continues to resonate with readers today.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960)

"To Kill a Mockingbird" is set in the racially charged atmosphere of the Deep South in the 1930s. The novel revolves around Scout Finch, a young girl growing up in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama. Through Scout's eyes, Harper Lee tackles themes of racial injustice, morality, courage, and the loss of innocence. This influential work offers profound insights into the human condition and the destructive impact of prejudice. 

Students studying English Literature should read "To Kill a Mockingbird" to engage with Lee's powerful storytelling, her exploration of social issues, and her timeless message of empathy and understanding.

The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer (Late 14th Century)

"The Canterbury Tales" is a collection of stories written by Geoffrey Chaucer, showcasing a diverse group of pilgrims travelling to the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral. Each character tells a tale that reflects their own personality, providing a fascinating glimpse into mediaeval society and human nature. Chaucer's work explores themes of love, morality, social class, and the complexities of human relationships. 

Students of English Literature should read "The Canterbury Tales" to appreciate Chaucer's storytelling prowess, his use of various narrative styles, and his significant contribution to Middle English literature.

1984 by George Orwell (1949)

"1984" presents a dystopian vision of a totalitarian society ruled by the oppressive Party led by Big Brother. George Orwell's novel depicts a future world where individuality is suppressed, truth is manipulated, and surveillance is omnipresent. It explores themes of government control, propaganda, the loss of privacy, and the importance of individual freedom. "1984" serves as a cautionary tale and a critique of totalitarianism and authoritarian regimes. 

Students studying English Literature should read "1984" to engage with Orwell's thought-provoking ideas, his powerful language, and his exploration of the dangers of unchecked power and the erosion of truth in society.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (1847)

"Wuthering Heights" is a captivating novel that delves into the intense and turbulent love story between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw. Set against the hauntingly atmospheric backdrop of the Yorkshire moors, Bronte's work explores themes of passion, revenge, social class, and the destructive power of unchecked emotions. The novel presents complex and morally ambiguous characters who grapple with their desires and the consequences of their actions. 

Students studying English Literature should read "Wuthering Heights" to appreciate Bronte's vivid descriptions, her exploration of the human psyche, and her contribution to Gothic literature with its dark and brooding atmosphere.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925)

"The Great Gatsby" is a classic American novel that offers a scathing critique of the Jazz Age and the pursuit of the American Dream. Set in the 1920s, Fitzgerald's work follows Jay Gatsby, a mysterious and enigmatic millionaire, as he tries to win back the love of his life, Daisy Buchanan. The novel explores themes of wealth, love, social class, and the corruption and emptiness that can lie beneath the surface of the glamorous facade. Fitzgerald's lyrical prose and vivid characters capture the excesses and disillusionments of the era. 

Students studying English Literature should read "The Great Gatsby" to appreciate Fitzgerald's masterful storytelling, his exploration of societal decay, and his commentary on the elusive nature of the American Dream.

Hamlet by William Shakespeare (Between 1599 and 1601)

"Hamlet" is one of William Shakespeare's most famous plays and a cornerstone of English Literature. It tells the tragic story of Prince Hamlet, who is consumed by grief, suspicion, and the desire for revenge after the death of his father. The play explores themes of madness, mortality, fate, and the complexity of human nature. Shakespeare's poetic language, rich characterization, and profound insights into the human condition continue to captivate readers. 

Students studying English Literature should read "Hamlet" to engage with Shakespeare's brilliant wordplay, his exploration of existential questions, and his enduring portrayal of a complex and introspective protagonist caught in the web of deceit and treachery.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (1847)

"Jane Eyre" is a renowned novel that follows the life of its eponymous protagonist. The story traces Jane's journey from her challenging childhood to her position as a governess at Thornfield Hall, where she falls in love with the enigmatic Mr. Rochester. Bronte's work explores themes of love, independence, social class, and the struggles of women in Victorian society. "Jane Eyre" stands out for its strong and resilient female protagonist, its exploration of moral and ethical dilemmas, and its critique of societal norms. 

Students studying English Literature should read "Jane Eyre" to appreciate Bronte's powerful storytelling, her vivid characterizations, and her contribution to feminist literature.

The Waste Land by T.S. Eliot (1922)

"The Waste Land" is a modernist poem written by T.S. Eliot, which reflects the disillusionment and fragmentation of post-World War I society. The poem is a complex and allusive work that weaves together different voices, historical references, and cultural fragments to depict a world in spiritual and emotional decay. Eliot's work explores themes of disillusionment, cultural crisis, the loss of traditional values, and the search for meaning in a fragmented society. "The Waste Land" is notable for its innovative form, its rich symbolism, and its exploration of the complexities of modern existence. 

Students studying English Literature should read "The Waste Land" to engage with Eliot's poetic genius, his experimentation with language and form, and his profound commentary on the human condition in the modern world.

Beloved by Toni Morrison (1987)

"Beloved" is a powerful novel that delves into the traumatic legacy of slavery and its impact on individuals and communities. Set in the aftermath of the American Civil War, the story revolves around Sethe, a former slave who has escaped to Ohio but continues to be haunted by the memories of her past. Morrison's work explores themes of memory, identity, trauma, motherhood, and the search for freedom and self-definition. "Beloved" is celebrated for its lyrical prose, its portrayal of the African American experience, and its exploration of the enduring legacy of slavery. 

Students studying English Literature should read "Beloved" to appreciate Morrison's masterful storytelling, her poetic language, and her profound examination of the complexities of history, memory, and human resilience.

That’s it for our list of 10 must-read books for A-Level English Literature students. These books offer a delightful blend of classic and contemporary works, each with its own unique charm and literary significance. 

Whether you're delving into the timeless prose of Jane Austen, exploring the haunting worlds of Toni Morrison, or deciphering the profound words of T.S. Eliot, these books will ignite your imagination and deepen your understanding of the literary craft. Happy reading!

Thanks for reading "10 Must Read Books For A-Level English Literature Students" on January Media.

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A-level English Literature Reading List

A lot of teenagers who are interested in English Literature think there is a fixed list of books that they have to read. This is not the case but a reading list is very useful. While A Level English and English GSCE require teens to study certain texts, when it comes to UK university applications and UCAS the most important thing is to read a lot and to read widely. 

Here is a small selection of novels, plays and poems that will introduce teenagers to what the ages have to offer. Enjoy!

Ei ghteenth-century literature A-level reading list

The Eighteenth Century saw the dawn of the novel so it is a good idea to try at least one. Be warned: they can seem odd to begin with. However, the novels of Fielding, Swift and Sterne are incredibly zany and fun once you get a taste for them.  Gulliver’s Travels is a good place for A Level English students to start–it is fairly short with a fantastic plot and political punch. If you are an Austen fan,  Pride and Prejudice  also manages to squeeze into this category. 

Poetry-wise, it is a century of incredible variety. Sample the rhythmical, satirical verse of Alexander Pope (which rarely features on the school curriculum) as well as the sweeping poetry of the early Romantics, which students may have encountered in AQA GCSE English and Edexcel GCSE English. 

Novels 

Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded – Samuel Richardson

The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman – Laurence Sterne

The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling – Henry Fielding 

Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen

Gulliver ’ s Travels – Jonathan Swift 

Robinson Crusoe – Daniel Defoe 

Poetry 

The Rape of the Lock – Alexander Pope 

Songs of Innocence and Experience – William Blake

“Lines Written a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey”– William Wordsworth

Victorian literature A-level reading list

Teenagers are likely to be more familiar with Victorian novels as they usually pop up on the school syllabus at one point or another. ( Great Expectations  tends to be a favourite with GCSE English teachers). 

They do tend to be long but they have wonderful plots– particularly if you are keen on gothic fiction. If you are looking to start on something shorter, Henry James’ novella-turned-ghost story  The Turn of the Screw is second to none. 

Find below our A-level English literature reading list of Victorian novels.

Middlemarch – George Eliot 

Bleak House – Charles Dickens 

The Picture of Dorian Gray – Oscar Wilde

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde  – Robert Louis Stevenson 

Jane Eyre –  Charlotte Bronte 

The Turn of the Screw  –  Henry James 

The Portrait of a Lady – Henry James

North and South  – Elizabeth Gaskell

Far from the Madding Crowd  –  Thomas Hardy 

Browse through our A-level English literature reading list of Poetry.

Robert Browning’s dramatic monologues (“My Last Duchess”, “Soliloquy of a Spanish Cloister”, “Porphyria’s Lover”, “Toccata of Galuppi”)

In Memoriam  –  Alfred, Lord Tennyson 

“The Lady of Shalott” – Alfred, Lord Tennyson 

“Tithonus” – Alfred, Lord Tennyson 

“Dover Beach” – Matthew Arnold 

Modern literature  A-level reading list

It is somewhat disingenuous to group these books together under the title ‘modern literature’. There is too much variety in style and subject matter. However, here is a tiny selection of what the Twentieth Century has to offer. Virginia Woolf often appears on the A Level English syllabus but Edith Wharton and Ford Madox Ford are often under-represented. 

In terms of modernist poetry, T.S Eliot’s  The Waste Land  is a great place to start, as is his “Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”. Modernist poetry is famously difficult, however, so might be best saved till upper-sixth. 

Find below our A-level English reading list of modern literature.

Portrait of a Young Man  – James Joyce

To the Lighthouse – Virginia Woolf

Mrs Dalloway  –  Virginia Woolf

The Good Soldier – Ford Madox Ford

The Age of Innocence –  Edith Wharton  

The Bell Jar – Sylvia Plath 

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie – Muriel Spark 

Hotel du Lac  – Anita Brookner 

The Go-Between  – L.P Hartley 

The Waste Land  –  T.S Eliot

“Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” – T.S Eliot 

“The Snow Man” – Wallace Stevens

“This is Just to Say”- William Carlos Williams 

“Musee des Beaux Arts”- W.H Auden 

“In a Station of the Metro” – Ezra Pound. 

Last but not least – drama. Teenagers who are interested in acting should read two or three Shakespeare plays that they have not studied during GCSE English. Seeing plays at the theatre can really bring them to life so, if you can, book some seats. If not, there are some excellent film versions of Shakespeare plays as well. 

For something more modern, why not try some Tennessee Williams?  A Streetcar Named Desire  and The Glass Menagerie  are hard to beat. 

If teenagers particularly enjoy a certain author, or are drawn to a literary period, encourage them to write about it in their UCAS personal statement. Discussing specific texts will show they are thinking carefully about what they read and will enhance their university application.