Encyclopedia of Literary Critics and Criticism / Edition 1

by Chris Murray

Overview

The world of literary theory and criticism has recently become increasingly complex and multi-faceted: the Encyclopedia of Literary Critics and Criticism provides a comprehensive guide (historcal and interntional) to a wide range of individual writers, critics and theorists, to major theories, and to central criticl concepts. Authoritative yet accessible, the entries range from 900 to 4,000 words, and all include an up to -date guide to further reading. Many provide a detailed discussion of a subject; others give an overview that draws together a range of themes and writers. Its scope makes the Encyclopedia unique: it includes all significant figures from Plato to the present day, and also traditions outside the Western critical canon, including, for example, those of Japanese, Chinese, Indian, and Arabic literature.There are extensive indexes with more than 20,000 entries, of names, subject and titles. In addition there are cross references and a chronological listing of individuals appearing in the book.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781579581442
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	12/01/1999
Edition description:	NEW ED..
Pages:	1500
Product dimensions:	8.25(w) x 11.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Chris Murray

Editorial Reviews

"Murray is unique in scope and a worthy addition to academic reference collections." — Choice
"This two-volume text provides a clear, wide ranging and authoritative guide to Western literary theory and criticism past and present." — Reference and Research Book News
"Takes its place as the key reference source on literary theory, theoreticians, critics, and criticism. Recommended for academic and large public libraries." — Booklist/RBB
"More extensive in scope (both in geographical rage and time periods) than other like references, this work will serve students and reference librarians well. Highly recommended for academic libraries." — Library Journal (Starred review)

From the Publisher

An update of Salem Press's 1987 title Critical Survey of Literary Theory, this completely revised and expanded edition is a very useful and in-depth resource. The two-volume set includes 375 entries on both Western and non-Western literary traditions, from the start of criticism with the Greeks through postmodernism. Varying in length from a couple of long paragraphs to several pages, the entries are of four different types: on individuals, surveys of literary periods, essays on critical theories, and definitions of key concepts. The entries on individuals, such as Roland Barthes and Jacques Derrida, investigate in detail the critic's thinking and influence. The surveys of literary periods cover different schools or time periods, including 20th-century French, British, and American theory. The criticism essays explain 28 different schools such as reader-response and semiotics, while terms covered in the short-definitions sections range from the surreal to the pastoral. More extensive in scope (both in geographical range and time periods) than other like references, this work will serve students and reference librarians well. Highly recommended for academic libraries.--Neal Wyatt, Chesterfield Cty. P.L., Richmond, VA Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.\

Library Journal

This two-volume text provides a clear, wide-ranging and authoritative guide to Western literary theory and criticism past and present, with some entries on non-Western traditions. The 374 entries are listed alphabetically and range from 800 to 14,500 words. They present individuals (biography, influence, prinicipal criticism, other major works and literary forms), theories, concepts, and chronological surveys. Coverage includes critics who have impacted English literature, those important for their own national traditions, and many thinkers and writers not known primarily for their literary theory. Indexes and cross-references help readers to explore themes systematically, and all the entries have bibliographies and suggestions for further reading. The first edition appeared in 1987 as the

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