More than ten years in the making, this comprehensive single-volume literary survey is for the student, scholar, and general reader. The Continuum Encyclopedia of American Literature represents a collaborative effort, involving 300 contributors from across the US and Canada. Composed of more than 1,100 signed biographical-critical entries, this Encyclopedia serves as both guide and companion to the study and appreciation of American literature. A special feature is the topical article, of which there are 70.

Provides articles covering children's literature from around the world as well as biographical and critical reviews of authors including Avi, C.S. Lewis, J.K. Rowling, and Anno Mitsumasa.

An alphabetical reference with more than 1,500 entries that trace symbols to their cultural, religious, or mythological origins, and explain the hidden or encoded meaning that lies concealed beneath objects' and concepts' ordinary, outward appearance.

A collaborative effort by 200 authorities who contribute some 650 original, signed entries. This book includes 75 topical articles. These often include up-and-coming figures that are not covered in their own entry. It features an appendix listing major-award winners as well as an index of names cross-referenced to entries where applicable.

"Incorporates authors' name, biographies, and titles of their works in one alphabetical listing. Plot summaries also included. Covers U.S. and Canadian literature."--

The most complete and up-to-date reference work available on all of British literature1,200 entries by more than 200 authorities70 topical entriesComplements The Continuum Encyclopedia of American Literature (1999) called "A wise purchase as an update and complement to the Oxford Companion" by Library Journal.The history of British literature is one of extraordinary breadth and complexity, extending from Aneirin and the poet of Widsith to Caedmon and the poet of Beowulf; from Geoffrey of Monmouth to Geoffrey Chaucer; from Spenser to Shakespeare; Donne and Milton to Dryden; Dr. Johnson to Keats, Wordsworth, Coleridge, and Blake; from Thackeray, Dickens, Kipling, and Hardy to the modern and postmodern eras.This book is a comprehensive guide to all British literature, including literature in English from the colonial and postcolonial periods in Africa, Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, India, and New Zealand. Important authors from these areas are covered in substantive topical articles on their respective literatures. The contributors, from the UK and US, are all experts in their fields, and include: R. S. White on William BlakeW. H. New on Canadian Literature in EnglishDerek Brewer on Geoffrey ChaucerIan Ousby on Detective Fiction before 1945David Kirby on ExpatriatesMerryn Williams on Thomas HardySandie Byrne on Tony HarrisonFred Marchant on Ted HughesPeter Barnes on Ben JonsonIan MacKillop on F. R. LeavisNorman Kelvin on William MorrisClaire Tomalin on Samuel PepysPeter Finch on Poetry since 1945