Literature is not just any written work; it is work that has stood the test of time and widely thought to be of lasting merit. If you want to get up to speed quickly (or just want a refresher course), this illustrated guide covers the authors, genres, and styles you will need to know. Each topic is summarized in 300 words and contains a bibliography for you to expand your bookworm horizons, and you can also brush up on literary terms ahead of that book-club meeting, as each chapter features its own glossary. Interspersed throughout the book are profiles of key literary figures, including Jorge Luis Borges, Ali Smith, and Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie.