GCSE English: "Of Mice and Men": the Text Guide

Useful for character analysis

It's a summary, illustration, explanation, vocab hub and answers any question that may arise on this story. It covers all points and even goes beyond what's written, by getting deep in what the writer felt and meant... Perfect and is worth buying

I have always loved CGP study guides, and this is no exception. Humour and colour adds to the use as a revision tool, and it is exactly what I needed! It goes into a lot of detail on the subject and makes it all make sense. It helps you understand the plot quickly and easily, with full information on character and themes that will make the whole subject easier. If you're studying "Of Mice and Men" for your GCSE in English Literature, you need this book. It's the only one I know that will prepare you quickly and thoroughly, a true gem.

Good quality

As an English teacher I have to knock off one star purely because I cannot condone the use of study guides as a substitute for reading the actual text, but nonetheless study guides do have their use as a reinforcement tool, hence four stars. They are somewhere where all the themes and characters can be explored in summary in one place, and if you want a quick reminder of the plot then you'll get one. However, if you have a dyslexic child, as I do, who finds reading difficult, then a study guide can help them gain confidence in 'getting to know' the text more quickly, leaving them time to read the proper text alongside - at least if they are familiar with the key themes and characters and plot they can join in with classwork more readily, which will help them gain confidence in their knowledge of the text. But I emphasise - there is no substitute for eventually reading the text properly! In terms of quality, this is a good, solid text guide, but it has a very different layout to, say, the York notes edition (which I have also reviewed in a similar way) so it's purely a matter of personal choice on the part of the student you are buying it for.