Exploring Four of the UK’s Greatest Novelists

When we think about some of the greatest novels of all time, we immediately think of the likes of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen or Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. The truth is that when it comes to novels, the UK is home to some of the greatest writers. While we’ve already quoted Shakespeare and Jane Austen, we can also mention the likes of Charles Dickens and modern-day writers such as J.K. Rowling; the mastermind behind the popular Harry Potter series.   

In this blog, we take a more in-depth look at some of the world’s greatest novelists, as well as help those with an English degree learn how to follow in their footsteps with a master’s course that specialises in providing the professional knowledge to improve creative writing skills. 

William Shakespeare

Shakespeare is probably the first name that comes to mind when you think about famous British literature. He was most well-known for his work in bringing stories to life such as Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Othello, Julius Caesar, King Lear, and A Midsummer’s Night Dream, and he was one of, if not the most famous ever English playwright. To this day, his works are studied in schools and universities around the world, and his influence is seen in the work of numerous other authors. If safe to say that Shakespeare’s legacy speaks for itself... 

J.K. Rowling

For an author who is relevant for book lovers today, we can’t forget about J.K. Rowling. Due to the popularity of the Harry Potter novels, there are few authors who could have claimed as much success as her. Having sold over 500 million copies of the books about ‘the boy who lived’, she is known today as one of the best-selling authors of all time. Additionally, although she is most well-known for her work on Harry Potter, it isn’t her only contribution to literature. She has also written several books known as the Cormoran Strike novels, under her pen name, Robert Galbraith. Never heard of them? Take a look! 

Jane Austen  

Austen was well-known for her creation of Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility and was one of the most cherished authors in British literature. Why is this? Well, she was known for writing about unremarkable people in ordinary everyday life situations, yet she managed to craft her story into an incredible work of art. Today, her work is known for her sharp wit, social commentary, and parodies of the 18th century. One of the most fascinating things about Austen’s work is that she made it a timeless classic that remained a critical part of society for over two centuries after her death.  

Charles Dickens  

Born in 1812, Charles Dickens was a true Victorian gentleman who is still remembered in the literature world today. Having written over 15 novels, short stories, essays, and articles, his work was known for its portrayal of Victorian society. Wondering if you’ve come across any of his work? How about Oliver Twist? The story about an orphan who spent much of his childhood at a ‘child farm’ with too many children and too little food; Oliver Twist represents one of Dicken’s most famous novels. Of course, Dickens isn’t just famous for his work on Oliver. There’s Great Expectations, David Copperfield, A Christmas Carol, Nicholas Nickleby, and many others you might be aware of. His creations have remained in the public eye for centuries, so this is why Dickens is another author who is instrumental to British literature. 

Why Study for a Master’s Degree? 

Does this inspire you to write your own novel? There’s no better place to express your creative freedom than with an MA (Specialist Title) via Creative Practice degree at the University of Bolton. If you are an English and creative writing graduate then you can tailor your postgraduate education to the specific specialism you want to excel in; by choosing from a range of optional modules, we can directly support your career ambitions. For instance, if you want to further develop your creative writing skills, you can choose to focus on our creative writing discipline and then upon completion of your studies, your master’s title will be MA Creative Writing via Creative Practice.    

Our creative and passionate lecturers are proud to use a teaching-intensive, research-informed approach to support you with a range of projects that aim to develop your creative practice. After all, any great novelist needs to have an innovative and creative mindset to be talented with words.   
 
For more information on how you can personalise your master’s degree to become an English and creative writing specialist, look at our full course details for the MA (Specialist Title) via Creative Practice degree on our website.  
  
Alternatively, you can speak to our team by emailing us at enquiries@bolton.ac.uk or giving us a call on 01204 903807.