The New York Public Library Literature Companion - Hardcover

The New York Public Library, Staff Of

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0684868903 ISBN 13: 9780684868905

Publisher: Free Press, 2001

Synopsis

Compiles information about English-language literature from around the world, discussing authors, works of literature, recommended reading, censorship, literary characters, and a chronology of world literature.

About this title

From Library Journal:

As one might expect of a companion, this is a book you can open at random and see what you find. Within its classified arrangement, entries are provided for authors, critics, literary characters, and works from all times and places, mostly Western. There are also many lists: book awards, literary reference books, a chronology of world literature, great books lists, a dictionary, literary web sites, and more. Sidebars are used to highlight such miscellany as famous opening lines ("Call me Ishmael"), last lines, writers portrayed in fiction, and famous rejection letters. There are even several enjoyable little quizzes (such as matching quotations against a list of authors, e.g., who wrote, "Hell is other people"?). No information is provided for the more than 25 contributors, and their articles are unsigned. Editor-in-chief Skillion has published several other literary reference books, including, with George Plimpton, Introducing the Great American Novel. No other modern literary companion comes close to matching this book's remarkable breadth. Though its dedication to nonjudgmental statements of fact may leave one wishing for more idiosyncrasy, the book is very well done and belongs in every library's literary reference collection. Peter Dollard, Alma Coll. Lib., MI
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review:

Cynthia Ozick author of Quarrel & Quandary: Essays This is an impressive reference work of lasting significance. -- Review

About this edition

• Publisher: Free Press
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0684868903
• ISBN 13: 9780684868905
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 784
• Editor: Skillion Anne