Rating: 
Summary: I certainly benefited from it.
Review: "How to read literature like a professor" is an easy-to-comprehend book, lucidly written with a dash of humour, that is meant for amateurs of literature. Using a conversational tone throughout the book, Thomas Foster chose to emphasize on symbolism and patterns used in literature. Incorporating examples from a wide selection of books (mainly classics or renowned novels), he explains the way symbols are inherent in novels and imparts techniques to the readers on how better to fathom the deeper significance of the contents. According to Thomas, meals, diseases, blindness, weather and seasons, roads present in novels are all written for a purpose. For example, meals signify communions whereas roads represent quests.
There is much to be learned from this book, but I doubt it will be of much use to serious students of literature. I would have preferred if the author also touched on other aspects of literature, such as themes and characterization. Using an entire book to explain symbolism seemed a tad too long-winded.
Rating: 
Summary: so so
Review: book was a little bit interesting but after a while it became very repetitive and too opiniated. lost some of his points most of the time-maybe because they were the same points over and over again
Rating:
Summary: practical guide to reading
Review: Foster tackles Literature from a symbolic metaphorical side, delving into Myths, symbols, and the connectedness of all Literature etc.
In a lively and entertaining manner he shows the reader how to draw parallels between texts and explores poetic metaphors effectively.The weakness of the book is that the author doesn't really delve deeply enough into other important aspects such as Character development, Plot devices, structure of the novel among other things. He's thematic discussions, too, are at times somewhat shallow, Nonetheless, it is a worthwhile book that certainly deserves to read.
Rating: 
Summary: Helpful and Interesting
Review: I am not a professor nor an English Lit. major; just an avid reader. I seldom take the time to look for all the symbolism and significance in the books I read. According to Professor Foster, that makes me a "literal reader". This book pointed out some basic tenets of symbolism, irony and significance in an interesting and amusing manner that even a literal reader could see and appreciate. Mr. Foster foists no guilt on the literal reader - the foremost reason to read according to him is for enjoyment.
Mr. Foster has chapters entitled such things as "It's All Shakespeare..." and "Unless its the Bible" that track major themes and ideas in literature. He fills each chapter and substantiates each point with a myriad of examples.
He also brings to the table a refreshing view that it's okay to not see every symbol and theme in a book - again, the main thing is to enjoy reading. But reading this book has already made me try to be more aware of what an author is doing beyond the straight plot line.
One thing that truly made me feel as if I were back in college was the annoying politic correctness. There could have been a broader scope of fiction used (unless you believe that Toni Morrison's writings encompass virtually every literary theme). Also, every time Mr. Foster raised the spectre of a hypothetical author it was "she" who was doing this in "her" work.
This is an enjoyable book that is a good aid to any reader. It would also be a great help to high school and college readers.
Rating: 
Summary: Hesitant at first
Review: I had a specific reason for reading this book: I can't read fiction. I just can't seem to focus on it. Which didn't bother me for a number of years, because I enjoy a steady diet of history, biography, and other non-fiction. But recently, more and more, I feel I've been missing out on something, particularly looking back at some of the classics I've never read. When I came across Foster's book, I thought it would be helpful in overcoming my fict-o-phobia.
It has been. Not only has Foster given ideas for structuring whichever book chosen(or even stories in movies, poetry, or song), but he suggests many titles that actually sound exciting, now that I know of the interesting characters and plots that are developed within them.
However, I found the tone of the book somewhat condescending. This might not be true for a freshman English student, but for a forty-something post professional, the cute, jokey statements aren't appreciated. Not that Kelly EVER puts cute, jokey statements in her reviews (she says, tongue firmly in cheek).
As to the effectiveness of Mr. Foster's method: He aims at teaching his readers to recognize the symbolism in literature, and therefore the layers of story within. At first, this concrete fact-finder despaired of being able to do this. After some practice, however, tonight I wrote a review on a film in which I was able to find a particular type of symbolism throughout; it seemed to jump out at me from every angle. I couldn't figure out why every reviewer before hadn't mentioned it in the past. The story now didn't just have one surface plot, there were many layers. It made what could have been simply an entertaining film multidimensional.
As for *reading*, I still have not been brave enough to pick up Ulysses or the latest Dean Koontz novel (still fearing that huge voice in my head screaming "I bet they made this up!"), but at least the idea seems exciting instead of dull. Thanks, Professer Foster.
Rating:
Summary: Eh
Review: I had to read this for AP English IV this summer. I like to read, so I don't judge books just because they're for school. However, if they are terrible, than they are terrible and it doesn't matter why I am reading them. I didn't like this book. Most of my class felt like he was very repetitive and didn't say much of anything that you shouldn't already know if you're in AP English. But that was just our take on it.
Rating:
Summary: Enlightening and entertaining
Review: I loved this book! It gave me confidence to trust my own judgment about what things mean in a literary work. The guidelines that Foster provides have been very helpful in deepening my reading experience. I liked reading "The Garden Party" and comparing my insights with his and those of his students. Highly recommended for anyone who loves to read, especially those who belong to book discussion groups. In fact, our group is reading AHAB'S WIFE for our next meeting, and I'm finding Foster's book extremely useful in getting ready for our discussion.
Rating:
Summary: An enjoyable read.
Review: I really appreciated this book and the simple way the concepts were explained. I am a teacher and trying to express the concepts Foster clarified so eloquently described in the book is tricky. I enjoyed reading the book myself, and intend to rely on it as reference for my lessons. I highly recommend it for those who wish to get more out of their reading experience.
Rating:
Summary: One Reader's Futile Quest
Review: I set out on my journey through this book with great trepidation and anticipation - trepidation that I would be forever lost in the mazes of literary notions heretofore only alluded to in the occasional book review, such that I might never be able to read fiction again for the crowds of overarching ideas that would envelop me. Anticipation that I would now be able to spot nuances that had previously flown right over my head like the birds and butterflies in the test case short story at the end of this book. I needn't have worried my pretty little head. Foster belabors the obvious again and again throughout this book (Spring? Rebirth? Gasp!), while attempting to pepper it with humor that creaks like the bones of a Shakespearean ghost and evidently proud references to popular music from 30 years or more in the past that marks him as rather hopelessly out of date instead of with the coolness he seems to think it evinces. I had to keep referring to the title page to be absolutely certain he didn't write this book (more forgivebly) in 1974. It is to cringe. This book was a waste of money, even at the used price.
Rating:
Summary: Great for a wide range of readers
Review: I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. I generally stay away from these types of "how-to" guides, but this caught my eye at the library and I took a chance. Yes, in several places he does greatly reduce and simplify some of the headier, more complex issues in literature, but I think most readers will be prompted to build on his basic information on their own. As I was reading it I realized I would have loved it as an undergrad English major - especially when he was discussing early 20th Century works. This probably wouldn't have helped me in grad school as a student, but it would have helped me break down and better explain some concepts to the first year comp class I taught. I agree with a previous reviewer that the book is very unpretentious and Foster doesn't insert too much dry criticism here. Should be appealing to most beginning lit students and those who do some serious reading for their own enjoyment.
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