The Encyclopedia of Literary and Cultural Theory, 3 Volume SetISBN: 978-1-4051-8312-3
Hardcover
1544 pages
January 2011, Wiley-Blackwell
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"Part of Blackwell Reference Online, the Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopedia of Literature is a database with content from several new stand-alone scholarly literature reference sets. Together, they provide almost 1,000 entries on the history, terminology, genres, and theory of the novel; major writers, works, movements, and genres of twentieth-century British, American, and world fiction; and terms and concepts related to post-1900 literary and cultural theory. The database would be a good investment for libraries that want to acquire the content." (Mary Ellen Quinn, Booklist, April 2011)]
"These three stand-alone titles work well together; overlapping
entries complement rather than duplicate each other. Four planned
but as yet unpublished titles in this seven-title series are The
Encyclopedia of English Renaissance Literature , The Encyclopedia
of Romantic Literature , The Encyclopedia of the Gothic , and The
Encyclopedia of Postcolonial Studies . It would be nice to see a
single cumulative or series index tying all seven together to
create the most efficient access method for the serious researcher.
Part of the larger series, these first three titles can be
purchased separately or all together for $1,585 (ISBN
9781444320886).
The Encyclopedia of Literary and Cultural Theory. 3 vols.
Wiley-Blackwell. (Encyclopedia of Literature). 2011. 1544p. ed. by
Michael Ryan. bibliog. index. ISBN 9781405183123. $495. Online:
Blackwell Reference Online REF
Based on the premise that literature mirrors life, which mirrors
the surrounding society and culture, this unique work employs 320
signed articles written by 223 academic contributors at various
Anglo-American institutions to connect literature and sociology.
Organized in dictionary format within time period and type of
theory (social or literary), articles range from two and
three-quarters pages ("Abrams, M.H.") to 11½ pages ("Narrative
Theory"). Each entry includes a bibliography. Volumes 1 and 2 cover
literary theories between 1900 and 1966 and from 1966 to the
present day. Cultural theories appear in Volume 3. See also
references incorporating entries in all three volumes,
cross-references within the text, and a detailed index ensure easy
research access. Overall, the volume editors provide good coverage,
though this work could be stronger. For example, the literary
movement realism is discussed only as it pertains to the modernism
movement despite its having been prevalent during the 19th century.
General editor Ryan (film & media arts, Temple Univ.) has
authored several books, including Literary Theory: A Practical
Introduction. BOTTOM LINE An excellent resource for those
attempting to tie literature to the society surrounding it.
Recommended for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in
literature, writing, sociology, and anthropology.-Laurie Selwyn,
formerly with Grayson Cty. Law Lib., Sherman, TX
The Encyclopedia of the Novel. 2 vols. Wiley-Blackwell.
(Encyclopedia of Literature). 2011. 1024p. ed. by Peter Melville
Logan. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 9781405161848. $350. Online:
Blackwell Reference Online REF
The 143 signed, alphabetically arranged five- (e.g., "Feminist
Theory" and "Gender Theory") to nine-page (e.g., "Narrator" and
"Authorship") articles written by 134 academic (and one
nonacademic, Hyphen Press founder Robin Kinross) authors include
short bibliographies, thorough See also notes, and cross-references
within the articles. Volume 2 also contains an author index and a
detailed subject index. The text is very readable, but because the
editors take a global approach and rely on a very broad definition
of "novel," many genres and subgenres will be unfamiliar to the
average reader, making this title most appropriate to the academic
world. This set could be even better if the editors split several
complex articles into two or more articles. For example, in a
global rather than a local view, copyright and libel are treated
together in a brief six pages ("Copyright/Libel"), leaving the
reader wanting more. Logan (Victorian Fetishism: Intellectuals and
Primitives ) teaches English at Temple University. BOTTOM LINE
Intended for the advanced literature student, this set will
overwhelm the average reader. Recommended for upper-class
undergraduate and graduate literature and writing majors.-Laurie
Selwyn, formerly with Grayson Cty. Law Lib., Sherman, TX
"The Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopedia of Literature is a database with
content from several new stand-alone scholarly literature reference
sets. Together, they provide almost 1,000 entries on the history,
terminology, genres, and theory of the novel; major writers, works,
movements, and genres of twentieth-century British, American, and
world fiction; and terms and concepts related to post-1900 literary
and cultural theory. The database would be a good investment for
libraries that want to acquire the content." (Mary Ellen Quinn,
Booklist, April 2011)