As an A Level English student, I’ve been reminiscing in recent weeks about English over the years as I prepare to finish studying the subject forever, perhaps doubly so what with it being World Book Day this week. It’s undoubtedly true that for every good book you study, there are also some that feel like an immense chore. So, to remind you that English does actually get better, here’s a definitive ranking of every text studied by the Wimbledon High English Department. (Apologies for any missed texts – apparently, I’m old enough that we studied vastly different books to nowadays. Scary thought.)
Disclaimer: all opinions are my own and are welcome to disagreements, this author is not affiliated with the English department. (Although, saying that, I have an English teacher for a tutor, and they do teach me at A Level. But otherwise completely unaffiliated).
1. Fiction Fest (y8). Honestly one of the best experiences of my life. Making a scrapbook all about The Great Gatsby and calling it English homework? I’m in. Nothing but good memories.
2. Pride and Prejudice (GCSE). Darcy is a joy. Endless possibilities to watch this one on TV (which in my opinion certainly counts as revision). Although the BBC series with Colin Firth is obviously superior.
3. An Inheritance of Loss (A Level). One of my absolute favourite books studied in English. The geographer in me is very excited here. Bonus points that I don’t have to memorise quotes from it.
4. A Streetcar Named Desire (A Level). We spent an entire term reading this with different accents. Loved it. And you get to watch Marlon Brando scream “STELLA” which is always fun.
5. Animal Farm (y8). Talking pigs! Yes, there is deeper symbolic meaning, but I still think the talking pigs are pretty cool.
6. An Inspector Calls (y7). I still think about this play to this day. So many unanswered questions.
7. Oranges are not the Only Fruit (A Level). Who knew oranges could have so much symbolism?
8. A Doll’s House (A Level). Wonderful opportunity to complain about the patriarchy in lessons. Even better that I can write essays about Taylor Swift and Mr Daws can’t stop me (yes, English A Level really is that great)
9. Edgar Allen Poe (y9). As a devout lover of cats, The Black Cat was a traumatic experience. Fond memories of Ms McDowell getting us to act this out over Teams during COVID.
10. Hamlet (A Level). A bit depressing. And very long. But there’s one moment with pirates which makes up for everything.
11. A Midsummer Night’s Dream (y7). Lots of dancing fairies and a donkey. I’m a fan.
12. Jane Eyre (A Level). Pretty good. Big shout out to Ms Kennedy for letting us discuss how attractive Rochester was in lessons (answer: very much a red flag).
13. Never Let Me Go (GCSE). Wonderful book. Very sad, may cause an existential crisis. Proceed with caution.
14. Beowulf (y7) Monsters? Dragons? Kings? This one has it all. Y7 me wrote “it’s like stepping into the unknown – for us, Grendel is the unknown”. My analytical skills have clearly gone downhill since.
15. A Merchants Tale (A Level) – so much potential for entertainment. Love the old English (middle English? Not the English that we speak now?) until it comes to revision.
16. Twelfth Night (y8/GCSE). “Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them”. Shakespeare went deep with this one.
17. Mrs Dalloway (A Level). Very much a love hate relationship with this one. I’m undecided how I feel. The lack of chapters stresses me out.
18. Macbeth (y9/GCSE). I think I’m still a bit traumatised by watching that one adaptation where the witches are nurses and remove someone’s heart. Confirmed for me that I would never be a doctor. Watch with caution.
19. Poems (GCSE). Very much overrated, quickly ran out of ways to write about the fact Elizabeth Barret Browning loved her husband a lot. Also still confused with the rogue addition of one about a guy trapped in a never-ending loop of his life. Would have been much easier just to watch Groundhog Day.
20. Romeo and Juliet (y9) Maybe a controversial opinion but this is one of the most overrated Shakespeare plays. They fall in love, they die, and a lot could have been avoided with a little bit of common sense.
21. My Name is Mina (y7). If I’m honest I can’t actually remember all that much about the story, but I do just remember not enjoying the experience. Sorry English department.
22. Short Story Anthology (old GCSE). For those of you lucky enough to never have to endure this, I envy you. Imagine ten short stories, ranging from a guy selling shoes to a mad scientist. One of the stranger experiences of my life.
