About Coleman’s Notes®
Making great literature easier to understand — without taking away what makes it great.
Coleman’s Notes was created with a straightforward purpose: to produce clear, comprehensive and affordable guides to literature for students and serious readers.
Literary study can sometimes become unnecessarily complicated. At the other extreme, very short summaries can tell a reader what happens without helping them understand why a book matters.
Coleman’s Notes aims to occupy the space between those two approaches.
Our guides explain books in clear, accessible English while retaining the depth required for serious literary study.
For students, that means understanding plot and character while also developing knowledge of themes, context, language, form, structure and literary technique.
For independent readers, it means discovering more of the ideas, connections and background that make great books rewarding.
Three series. One purpose.
The Student Guide Series is designed primarily for GCSE and A Level English Literature students and includes examination and revision support.
The Reader’s Companion Series is designed for independent readers and concentrates on understanding and enjoying the book without examination-focused material.
Great Albums Rediscovered
Rather than simply reviewing the album, it takes the listener through its background, recording, individual tracks, musicianship and production, with selected video material and opportunities to form and express personal opinions.
Independently produced
Coleman’s Notes is an independent publisher of study, reading and album guides.
We are not affiliated with or endorsed by examination boards, authors’ estates or publishers of the original works.
Where an original literary work is in copyright, Coleman’s Notes provides independently written summaries, commentary and analysis rather than reproducing the original work.
Our aim
To help every Coleman’s Notes reader move from:
“I know what happens.”
to:
“I understand why it matters.”
Coleman’s Notes®
UNDERSTAND • ANALYSE • REVISE • SUCCEED