The Oxford Illustrated Literary Guide to Great Britain and Ireland

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When the Oxford Literary Guide first appeared, it was praised by The Times of London as "the finest reference work of its kind," with a TLS reviewer noting that his journey from London to Herefordshire, typically under four hours, took him four days due to the book's rich content. Now in a new edition, featuring over 100 additional locations and 137 more authors, this beautifully illustrated, oversized volume lists hundreds of sites in Britain and Ireland, detailing their connections to renowned writers. It includes over 300 illustrations of authors, their homes, and the inspiring landscapes. Explore Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey, where you’ll find Chaucer's tomb, Shakespeare’s monument, and the graves of Dickens, Dylan Thomas, T.S. Eliot, and W.H. Auden. Discover how the stunning scenery of the Cumbrian Lake District inspired the "Lake Poets" Wordsworth, Coleridge, and Southey, and learn about Keats' "Ode to a Grecian Urn," inspired by Athenian sculptures at the British Museum. Visit Chelsea to see the homes of A.A. Milne, Mark Twain, and Bram Stoker, or venture to Liverpool, where Washington Irving penned Rip Van Winkle during financial hardship. With maps and an index of writers for easy reference, this guide invites readers to delve into the richness of literary heritage.