The Connell Short Guide to Sebastian Faulk’s Birdsong (AQA A Level, 2025/6 Exam Revision, A Level Recommended Reading List): Advanced English Literature Study Guides Written by Top Academics - Softcover

David Isaacs

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1907776907 ISBN 13: 9781907776908

Publisher: Connell Guides, 2017

Synopsis

What does Birdsong tell us about human endurance?
How does Faulks link the themes of love and war?
What makes the novel so vivid?
Why is it called Birdsong?

In his introduction to the tenth anniversary edition of Birdsong, Sebastian Faulks writes: “The major theme was this: how far can you go? What are the limits of humanity?” In this short, incisive guide, David Isaacs looks at what makes this extraordinary novel about the First World War so effective and powerful - and why the critics have been more or less unanimous in hailing it as a masterpiece.

Relevant to pupils studying:
- A Level, AQA

About The Author
David Isaacs studied English at Cambridge. Subsequently, he has worked as an editor both at Short Books and at Connell Guides. He has written five of our Short Guides - to Michael Frayn’s Spies, Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, Sebastian Faulks’s Birdsong, and forthcoming guides to John Fowles’ The French Lieutenant’s Woman and Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go. He is currently doing a PhD at UCL on selfdoubt and provisionality in late 20th century/ early 21st century literature.

About Connell Guides
Connell Guides are a series of 75 study guides to great literature and key historical events. The books are written by top academics from leading universities, and provide in-depth analysis of A Level and GCSE texts, helping students engage deeply with literature by encouraging independent thought and demystifying complex concepts - presenting them in clear, accessible terms.

Brilliant for students looking to widen their contextual and critical understanding of a text, discover niche 'wow-factor' points for essays and coursework, or simply brush up on their knowledge. They’re the perfect level-up for A Level / GCSE revision, and an excellent introduction to university study. Jam-packed with information you won’t find anywhere else.

About this title

About the Author

David Isaacs studied English at Cambridge. Subsequently, he has worked as an editor both at Short Books and at Connell Guides. He has written five of our Short Guides - to Michael Frayn's Spies, Cormac McCarthy's The Road, Sebastian Faulks's Birdsong, Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go and forthcoming guide to John Fowles's The French Lieutenant's Woman. He is currently doing a PhD at UCL on self-doubt and provisionality in late 20th century/early 21st century literature.

Edition details

• Publisher: Connell Guides
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1907776907
• ISBN 13: 9781907776908
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 52
• Editor: Jolyon Connell