INTERNATIONAL

DICTIONARIES, ENCYCLOPEDIAS, GUIDES AND HANDBOOKS

Der Brockhaus Literatur: Schriftsteller, Werke, Epochen, Sachbegriffe. Herausgegeben von der Lexikonredaktion des Verlags F.A. Brockhaus, Mannheim ; [Projektleitung: Hildegard Hogen ; Redaktion: Eva Beate Bode ... et al.]. Mannheim : F.A. Brockhaus, 2004. (Olin Ref PN44.5 B76 2004)

Alphabetically arranged dictionary of authors, works, literary periods and concepts, and relevant historical events. Illustrated.

Buchanan-Brown, J., gen. ed. Cassell's Encyclopaedia of World Literature. 3 vols. New York: William Morrow, 1973. (Uris Ref PN 41 C34 1973; also Olin Ref)

Volume 1 includes entries for histories of national literatures, literary genres, literary movements, schools, themes, and specific literary terms. Volumes 2 and 3 contain biographical sketches of literary figures and occasionally sketches of individual works. Selective bibliographies accompany most articles.

Chevalier, Tracy, ed. Contemporary World Writers. 2nd ed. Detroit: St. James Press, 1993. (Uris Ref PN 771 C7615 1993)

Revised edition of Contemporary foreign language writers. 1st ed., 1984 (Uris Ref PN 771 C7615). Alphabetically arranged; contains biographical and bibliographical information on 345 authors. "The entry for each author consists of a biography, a complete list of separately published books, a selected list of published bibliographies, and critical studies on the writer, and a signed critical essay" (Editors note in first ed.).

Dictionnaire des Personnages Litteraires et Dramatiques de Tous les Temps et de Tous les Pays: Poesie, Theatre, Roman, Musique. Paris: Societe d'Edition de Dictionnaires et Encyclopedies, 1960. (Olin Ref PN 41 D55+)

This richly illustrated companion volume to the French edition of the Dizionario Letterario Bompiani (described below) identifies and describes characters of fiction, poetry, music and drama from all periods and countries. It includes historical figures who have figured prominently as characters in artistic works. Especially useful for its comparative illustrations of characters that have been represented in many different ways and media over time (e.g., Hamlet, Ulysses, Jeanne d'Arc).

Le Dictionnaire du Littéraire publié sous la direction de Paul Aron, Denis Saint-Jacques, Alain Viala ; avec la collaboration de Marie-Andrée Beaudet ... [et al.]. Paris : Presses universitaires de France, 2004. 2e éd., revue et augmentée. Olin Ref PN41 D486 2004

A general one-volume literary encyclopedia focusing on the genres, broad concepts and theories common to world literatures. Each entry contains a selected bibliography.

Dizionario Letterario Bompiani delle Opere e dei Personaggi di Tutti i Tempi e di Tutte le Letterature. Milan: Bompiani, 1947-1950. 9v. with Appendice. 3v. (Olin Ref PN 41 D62)

Lavishly illustrated encyclopedia covering literary works from all countries and periods. The first half of the first volume is devoted to aesthetic schools and movements (e.g., Futurism, Romanticism, Patristics). Signed entries thereafter are arranged alphabetically by the Italian form of the work's title (which is followed by the original title in brackets). Many works of art and music are also described. Volume 8 is a dictionary of literary characters, while Volume 9 presents synoptic tables showing literary developments in all parts of the world, as well as several indexes to the set. Appendices add supplemental information.

Dizionario Universale della Letteratura Contemporanea. Milan: Mondadori, 1959-1963. 4v. (Olin Ref PN 771 D62)

An encyclopedia of world literature covering 1870 through the mid-20th century. Alphabetically arranged, it includes entries on writers (as well as other important figures in the arts), literary movements, periodicals, national literatures, and concepts, most of which present bibliographies. Enhanced by many illustrations and photographs. Often considered to be a supplement of the Dizionario Letterario Bompiani delle Opere... described above.

Enciclopedia dello Spettacolo. Rome: Casa Ed. le Maschere, 1954-62. 9v. (Olin Ref +PN 2035 E563)

Filled with illustrations and photographs, this encyclopedia is international in scope, covering theater, opera, ballet, motion pictures, and other dramatic and performing arts from antiquity to the 20th century. Includes bibliographies. A tenth volume is an index to titles of works mentioned in the other nine. A supplemental volumes published later contains biographical sketches of contemporary figures not covered in the basic set (Aggiornamento 1955-1965, Olin Ref +PN 2035 E563 Suppl.). Another ( Cinema, Teatro, Balletto, TV, Olin Ref +PN 2035 E564 1982) seems to be an updated abridgement containing brief entries -- without bibliographies -- many related to film.

Encyclopedia of Literary Translation into English. Editor, Olive Classe. London; Chicago: Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers, c 2000. 2 vols.Olin Ref PN241 E56x 2000+

Articles fall into three categories: (1) general and historical surveys of literary translation into English from the major world languages, classical and modern; (2) topics related to the history, theory and practice of literary translation into English, and (3) writer and work entries -- analytical accounts of the treatment in English translation of (a) all the significant translated works by major world authors or (b) single translated works.

Encyclopedia of Literature and Science edited by Pamela Gossin. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 2002. Olin Ref PN55 E53 2002

"This reference defines the rapidly emerging interdisciplinary field of literature and science. An introductory essay traces the history of the field, its growing reputation, and the current state of research. Broad in scope, the volume covers world literature from its beginnings to the present day and illuminates the role of science in literature and literary studies. Included are more than 650 alphabetically arranged entries on topics, themes, writers, scientists, works, theories, and methodologies. A wide range of experts contributed entries, each ending with a brief bibliography. The entire volume closes with a list of works for further reading." - back cover

Encyclopedia of Post-colonial Literatures in English. London ; New York : Routledge, 2005. 2nd ed. 3v. Olin Ref PR9080.A52 E53 2005

This second edition, three-volume set retains the same format as the first edition. It includes entries that encompass genres, major subjects and critical biographies of writers. Entries from the first edition have been updated, where appropriate; nearly 200 new entries have been added, and, in many cases, bibliographies have been updated to take into account new critical techniques. It covers the history and development of the literatures of the colonies of the former British Commonwealth and the Philippines and includes original research relating to the literatures of some fifty countries and mandated territories. In addition to the entries by genre, subject, and biography, there are also important "Overviews" for selected major subjects and genres in the form of comparative essays which explore the issues over a variety of countries. A comprehensive index to authors, subjects, and works is also included. First edition (1994) shelved in 3rd floor stacks at PR9080.A52 E53x 1994+.

Gassner, John and Edward Quinn, eds. The Reader's Encyclopedia of World Drama. New York: Crowell, 1969. (Uris Ref PN 1625 G25+)

Deals with "drama as literature, not theater." "In addition to entries for playwrights, selected titles, and types of drama, there are articles giving brief historical surveys of the development of the theater in individual countries " (Preface) Articles are signed; some bibliographical references are included.

Hochman, Stanley, Ed. in Chief. McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of World Drama: An International Reference Work in Five Volumes. 2nd ed. 5 vols. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1984. (Uris Ref PN 1625 M14+ 1984; also Olin Ref)

"The purpose of the book is to present, in the clearest possible format, factual information and critical evaluations of numerous dramatists' work and stature."(Preface) Most entries contain a biographical sketch, a brief critique of the dramatist's work, a selection of synopses of his/her plays, a bibliography of editions and usually a list of critical and biographical works. Emphasis is on English and Western European playwrights. Includes same general essays on drama of the world (e.g., "Belgian and Flemish Drama").

Jens, Walter, ed. Kindlers neues Literatur Lexikon. 21 vols. München : Kindler, [1996?]. (Olin Ref PN 44 K51 1996)

In German. Arranged in alphabetical order by author; international scope. Entries include biographical data, synopses of works, and bibliographical information on selected editions, translations, and criticism. Includes essays on more than 130 national literatures. Coverage of literary periods is comprehensive.

Kindlers Neues Literatur Lexikon. Herausgegeben von Walter Jens; [Chefredaktion, Rudolf Radler]. Mu¨nchen : Kindler, 1988-1996. 21 vols. (Olin Ref PN44 K51 1996)

Internationall in scope, covering all literary periods. Biographical entries for authors include synopses of works and bibliographical information. Volumes 19-20 contain essays on more than 130 national literatures. Volume 21 is an index to the set.

Klein, Leonard, gen. ed. Encyclopedia of World Literature in the 20th Century. 5 vols. Rev. ed. New York: Ungar, 1981. (Uris Ref PN 41 L64+ 1981; also Olin Ref)

This revised edition strives to review, reconsider, and update world literature of the 20th century in an internationalized, comprehensive manner for the scholar, student, and general reader. The four volumes are alphabetically arranged with: a) articles on national literatures in the post W.W. II era, including survey articles on 85 Asian and African literatures; b) topical articles (i.e. cubism, imagism) and c) separate articles on major and representative writers. Transitional 19th to 20th century figures who produced significant work after 1900 have been included. Each a article is signed. Extensive cross references, bibliographies, and lists of further works by authors are provided.

Preminger, Alex, and T.V.F. Brogan, eds. New Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics. Princeton: Princeton UP, 1993. (Uris Ref PN 1021 E56 1993; also Olin Ref)

Revised edition of the 1974 encyclopedia provides surveys of 106 national poetries, in addition to descriptions of poetic forms and genres, overviews of all major schools of poetry ancient and modern, and both Western and Eastern accounts of major movements and issues in criticism and literary theory. (Pref.) Features more material on non-Western poetries than the previous edition. Includes bibliographies.

Shipley, J.T. Guide to Great Plays. Washington: Pubic Affairs, 1956. (Uris Ref PN 6112.5 S55; also Olin Ref)

This 867-page volume lists, by author, several hundred great plays of all time. Along with a synopsis of each play, there is further information such as production history, excerpts from reviews and notes on famous casts. A simple title index helps to locate plays discussed in the text.

Thompson, George. Key Sources in Comparative and World Literature: An Annotated Guide to Reference Materials. New York: Ungar, 1982. (Olin Ref Z 6511 T47+)

A valuable source for finding reference materials on comparative literature. It is arranged in general by broad area, e.g. Italian literature, Oriental literatures. Each broad area has an outline displaying its format usually by type of work, e.g. bibliographies, handbooks, etc. or by period then individual authors. Title and subject lists included.

DICTIONARIES, ENCYCLOPEDIAS, GUIDES AND HANDBOOKS

Zell, Hans M., Carol Bunday and Virginia Coulon, ed. A New Reader's Guide to African Literature. 2nd ed. New York: Africana, 1983. (Uris Ref PL 8010 Z51 1983; also Olin Ref, Africana Ref)

According to its introduction, this work lists "3091 works by black African authors south of the Sahara writing in English, French and Portuguese. Reference material. critical works and anthologies are also included, as are children's books." The cut-off date for listings is 1981. The first four sections of this work are devoted to bibliographies, critical studies (both general and of specific authors), reference works and listings of folklore and oral tradition. These selections are followed by regional groupings (e.g. East Africa, English-speaking Africa, etc.) subdivided by country (e.g. Cameroon, etc.). Within each country individual authors are listed alphabetically, with their works listed chronologically. All entries are annotated and most contain both critical and biographical information.

BIOGRAPHICAL SOURCES

Cox, C. Brian, ed. African writers. New York : Charles Scribner's Sons ; London : Simon & Schuster, Prentice Hall International, c1997. 2 v. (Uris Ref PL 8010 A453x 1997; also Africana Ref)

Covers late-19th and 20th century writers from the African continent. Arranged alphabetically by author name, signed entries include short biographies, some critical commentary, and bibliographies of both primary and secondary sources. Includes a list of included writers grouped by country. An introduction discusses the themes of colonization, identity and language.

Herdeck, Donald E. African Authors: a Companion to Black African Writing 1300-1973. Washington, DC: Black Orpheus Press, 1973. (Olin Ref PL 8010 H54; also Africana)

Over 500 biographical entries ranging from half-a-column to several pages. Basic bibliographies are provided for each author. Many useful appendices, listing authors by genre, for example, or by language employed. This is a useful reference source for anyone researching African literature.

Parekh, Pushpa Naidu and Siga Fatima Jagne, eds. Postcolonial African Writers. A Bio-bibliographical Sourcebook. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 1998. (Olin Ref PL 8010 P585x 1998)

Contains alphabetically arranged biographies and critical appraisals of more than 60 African writers who have come to prominence since the demise of European colonialism. Introductory essays provide historical and cultural context, and each signed biographical entry includes both a bibliography of the author's work and a substantial list of references to secondary sources in both books and journals. A selected bibliography at the end of the volume emphasizes sources on postcolonial theory and gender issues in postcolonial society.

Draper, James P., ed. Black Literature Criticism: Excerpts from Criticism of the Most Significant Works of Black Authors over the Past 200 Years. 3 vols. Detroit: Gale, 1992. (Olin Ref PS 153 N5 B617; also Africana Ref)

This set contains a selection of criticism of works by major black writers. Including poets, essayists, autobiographers, novelists and more. Approximately half of the entries were selected and updated from the Gale's Literary Criticism Series. The entries include introductions to the author and extensive excerpts from the selected criticism. The set also includes an author index, nationality index, and a title index.

Popkin, Michael, comp. and ed. Modern Black Writers. New York: Ungar, 1978. (Olin Ref PN 841 M68; also Africana Ref)

Although the majority of the writers included here are from the U.S. there are a number of African authors represented. Articles consist of short, critical essays, generally taken from a longer work, such as a periodical article. Alphabetical arrangement.

Serafin, Steven R. Modern Black Writers. Supplement. New York : Continuum, 1995. (Olin Ref PN 841 M68 Suppl. 1995)

Complements the earlier edition (see above) with additional writers from Africa, the Caribbean and the U.S. Contains entries for 125 authors (43 women, 82 men), including 27 updated entries for writers covered in the previous edition. Provides indexes to to critics quoted and works mentioned, as well as a list of periodicals from which criticism has been reprinted.

SELECTED INTERNET RESOURCES

DICTIONARIES, ENCYCLOPEDIAS, GUIDES AND HANDBOOKS

Allen, Roger, camp. and ed. Modern Arabic Literature. New York: Ungar, 1987. (Uris Ref PJ 7538 M68 1987)

This handbook "brings together a large selection of criticism about modern Arab writers." (Preface) It includes the "most important" authors and works in the 20th century Arabic literature. The critical wrings were culled from a larger collection of critical works on each author. An index to critics and a "Works mentioned" section are included at the back of the book.

Badawi, M.M. Modem Arabic Literature and the West. London: Ithaca, 1985. (Olin Stacks PJ 7538 B13)

A collection of eleven essays reflecting the relationship between Arabic literature and the West (e.g., "The City in Modem Egyptian Literature," "The Arabs and Shakespeare").

Datta, Amaresh, ed. Encyclopaedia of Indian literature. 6 v. New Delhi : Sahitya Akademi, c1987-1994. (Kroch Asia Ref + PK 2902 E56)

Signed articles arranged alphabetically discuss major Indian authors writing in 22 languages, their works, literary styles and terminology. Bibliographic references included. Indexed.

Kodansha Encyclopedia of Japan. 9 vols. Tokyo: Kodansha, 1983. Plus suppl. 1986. (Uris Ref DS 805 K76+; also Kroch Asia Ref)

Represents a ten-year effort by Japanese and foreign scholars to compile the "first comprehensive encyclopedia" about Japan in English. Over 9,000 entries (the vast majority under 500 words) are contained in this eight-volume encyclopedia. A one-volume index completes the set. Coverage includes philosophy, history, science, politics, economics, literature and the arts, food and clothing from both a historical and a contemporary perspective. Authors were asked to introduce the topic at a level appropriate to high school students with no familiarity with the subject and to expand to a level for advanced students. A letter-by- letter system of alphabetization is used and the romanization system is Hepburn or Standard. Although bibliographies are appended to most of the longer articles, the encyclopedia would have been more useful with additional English citations. The encyclopedia is illustrated with black and white photos, charts and maps. It should be the single most useful source on Japan for the non-Japanese reader.

Lang, D.M., ed. A Guide to Eastern Literatures. London: Weldenfeld and Nicholson, 1971. (Uris Ref PJ 307 L26 1971; also Uris and Kroch Asia stacks)

Each of the 15 chapters surveys a particular Oriental literature: Arabic, Jewish, Persian, Turkish, Armenian and Georgian, Ethiopic, Indian and Pakistani, Sinhalese, Indonesian and Malaysian, Chinese, Tibetan, Mongolian, Korean, Burmese and Japanese. Most chapters cover historical background, main trends in the literature and individual writers; a bibliography completes each chapter, and a detailed index enhances the complete volume.

Meisami, Julie Scott and Paul Starkey, eds. Encyclopedia of Arabic literature. 2 vols. London: New York : Routledge, 1998. (Olin Ref + PJ 7510 E53x 1998)

Covers "the most important authors, works, genres, key terms and issues in Arabic literary tradition -- classical, transitional, and modern" (Intro.) and consists of concise, signed entries arranged alphabetically, most listing references for further reading. Cross-referenced. Appendices include a glossary, chronological tables, and an Arabic to English transliteration table.

Nienhauser, William H., Jr., ed. The Indiana Companion to Traditional Chinese literature. 2v. Bloomington, Ind. : Indiana University Press, c1986-1998. (Uris Ref PL 2264 I39 1986; also Kroch Asia Ref)

Covers Chinese literature to 1911, and contains more than 500 signed entries, some of considerable length, on authors, works, and literary schools. Each includes a bibliography of editions, translations, and criticism. Indexed by name, title, and subject. General bibliography and chronology also provided.

Prusek, J., ed. Dictionary of Oriental Literatures. 3 vols. New York: Basic, 1974. (Uris Ref PJ 31 D55; also Kroch Asia)

Each of the three volumes of this set focuses on literatures from a particular region of the Orient East Asia, covering the literatures of China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, and Tibet; South and South-East Asia, covering the literatures of India, Pakistan, Bangaladesh, Ceylon, Nepal and the countries of South-East Asia; and West Asia and North Africa, covering the ancient literatures of Mesopotamia and Egypt and all the countries of Western Asia and Maghreb. The literature of Black Africa has been omitted as beyond the scope of the publication. There is no index, but a list of national Literatures followed by their respective major works appears at the end of each volume.

Rimer, J. Thomas. A Reader's Guide to Japanese Literature. Tokyo: Kodansha International, 1988. (Uris Ref PL 715 R57; also Kroch Asia stacks)

A guide to major works of Japanese Literature which have been translated into English. It is intended as a "rough road map for the uninitiated" for identifying both the classical and modern masterpieces of Japanese Literature, including novels, poetry and drama. Each entry gives a brief outline of the work, sets it in the context of the time it was written and provides information on the availability of translations.

SELECTED INTERNET RESOURCES

DICTIONARIES, ENCYCLOPEDIAS, GUIDES AND HANDBOOKS

Bede, Jean-Albert, and William B. Edgerton, eds. Columbia Dictionary of Modern European Literature. 2nd ed. New York: Columbia UP, 1980. (Uris Ref PN 41 C72+ 1980; also Olin Ref PN 771 C72 1980)

Some 500 scholars have contributed short essays to this new edition of the Columbia Dictionary. Over 1800 authors from throughout the Western world are treated, giving biographical as well as bibliographical information. Most entries contain references to further critical or biographical readings.

Berry, Thomas E. Plots and Characters in Major Russian Fiction. 2 vols. Hamden: Archon, 1977-1978. (Uris Ref PG 3095 B53)

"Designed to encourage the reading of Russian literature" (Preface), each volume in this set is divided into two parts: Part 1, the Plots; and Part II, the characters and other personages. Volume one covers Pushkin, Lermontov, Turgenev and Tolstoi; Volume two covers Gogol, Goncharov, Dostoyevski.

Daemmrich, H.S. Themes & Motifs in Western Literature: A Handbook. Tubingen: Francke, 1987. (Olin Stacks PN 43 D12 1987)

This book is an A-Z arrangement of popular literary motifs and themes. "Each entry provides a systematic presentation of the nature, occurrence, development' and function of the theme or motif" (Preface). Citations to representative literature are included as well as references to scholarly studies.

Encyclopedia of Italian Literary Studies. Gaetana Marrone, general editor; New York: Routledge, c2007. 2 vols. Olin Ref PQ4006 E536 2007+

"Contains some 600 entries on all aspects of Italian literary culture, including analytical essays on authors and works,articles on critics, themes, genres, schools, historical surveys, and other related topics. The encyclopedia also covers subjects of contemporary interest, such as journalism, film, media, children's literature, food, and vernacular literatures. Entries consist of an essay on the topic and a bibliographic portion listing works for further reading, and, in the case of entries on individuals, a brief biographical paragraph and list of works by the person." [publisher]

Garland, Henry and Mary Garland. The Oxford Companion to German Literature. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1986. (Uris Ref PT 41 G23 1986; also Olin Ref)

Intended as a "companion to the historical and cultural background to German literature as well as to the writers and works themselves. Spans the period from c. 800 to the early 1970's, and the aim has been to cover in a reasonably representative way every period of the literature of each German-speaking country." (Preface). Entries vary in length from a few Lines to a page, and are arranged in alphabetical order.

Hargreaves-Mawdsley, W.W. Everyman's Dictionary of European Writers. New York: Dutton, 1968. (Olin Ref PN 451 H27)

Brief but informative entries cover not only outstanding literary authors but also non-literary authors whose works have stimulated the literary climate of Europe. The time span is from the 10th century onward, and coverage includes writers of smaller communities not often treated in other works. Tit Titles of English translations are included where necessary.

Lord, Robert Russian Literature: An lntroduction. 2nd ed. London: Kahn and Averill, 1980. (Olin Stacks PG 2951 L86 1980)

This handbook is divided into four parts. Part 1 is "The Russian Writer in Context," part 2 is Poetry, part 3 Prose, and part 4 Theatre. Included is a selected bibliography and an index to individual authors. Not much biography is provided, but rather a discussion of particular authors' style, technique and contribution to Russian literature.

Nichol, John. Tables of European History, Literature, Science, and Art, from A.D. 200 to 1909... 5th ed. Glasgow: Maclehose, 1909. (Olin Ref +PN 524 N59 1909 v.2)

Presents, in tabular format, comparative achievements in literature and other fields within defined chronological periods (decade by decade after 1500) as they correspond to major historical events. Columns are labeled Foreign History, English & Scotch History, English Literature, Foreign Literature, Science, and The Fine Arts. Though Eurocentric and dated in its emphases, it is useful for quickly placing authors and works in their broader historical context. (Note: for the period 1500 B.C. to 200 A.D., see volume 1, Olin Ref +PN 524 N59 1909 v.1)

Pynsent, Robert B. with S.I. Kanikova. Reader's Encyclopedia of Eastern European Literature. New York : HarperCollins Pub., 1993. (Uris Ref PN849 E9 R27 1993; also Olin Ref)

Limited to writers of fiction from the Austrian, Prussian, Ottoman, and Russian Empires. Features an historical introduction; a section on anonymous, collective, and oral tradition works; brief histories of Eastern European literature alphabetically arranged by language. Author entries include limited primary and secondary bibliographies. Author and language indexes.

Struve, Gleb. Russian Literature Under Lenin and Stalin. 1917-1953. Norman: University of Oklahoma, 1971. (Uris Ref PG 3022 S92 1971)

A revision of the 1951 edition of the author's Soviet Russian Literature, this work is a reliable history of the period in Russian literature containing information about specific writers, periods, events, and literary controversies. Includes an index and a bibliography.

Terras, Victor, ed. Handbook of Russian Literature. New Haven: Yale UP, 1985. (Uris Ref PG 2940 H23+; also Olin Ref)

This excellent guide to Russian literature contains articles of varying length on all aspects of this field of study. Entries are arranged alphabetically with most containing short, selective bibliographies. The work also includes an index and a general bibliography.

Ward, Phillip, ed. The Oxford Companion to Spanish Literature. Oxford: Clarendon, 1978. (Uris Ref PQ 6006 098; also Olin Ref)

This handbook "attempts to provide, in a single alphabetical sequence, a one-volume" collection of that should be useful to students of Spanish literature. (Preface) Some entries include references. No index.

Weber, H. ed. The Modern Encyclopedia of Russian Soviet Literature.v.1-9. (in progress) Gulf Breeze: Academic International, 1977-. (Olin Stacks PG 2940 M68)

"The coverage envisioned for this series goes beyond writers and their works to include those aspects of Russian and Soviet cultural life which impinge in one way or another on literature in a broad sense: literary criticism, the contributions of past literary scholars (no living scholar is represented), a number of selected linguistic problems, literary movements, literary journals, and folklore....The encyclopedia strives, ultimately, to arrive at a cultural profile of Russia and the Soviet Union, as revealed in Russian literature, in the many other national Soviet literatures, and in their literary traditions and literary history. This has enabled translating authoritative articles in older reference works, or combining information from many sources into a comprehensive orifice, or including entries by knowledgeable specialists" (" From the Editor"). Longer articles are signed; most include bibliographies.

DICTIONARIES, ENCYCLOPEDIAS, GUIDES AND HANDBOOKS

Foster, David William, camp. Handbook of Latin American Literature. New York: Garland, 1992. (Olin Ref PQ 7081 A1 H23 1992)

This is a collection of signed essays on the literary histories of various Latin American countries. A short annotated bibliography concludes each essay. Also includes sections on Hispanic literature in America, film and paraliterature. An index is included.

Literary Cultures of Latin America: a Comparative History, edited by Mario J. Valdés and Djelal Kadir. New York, N.Y.: Oxford University Press, 2004-. 3 vols. Olin Ref PQ7081.A1 L525 2004 +

Contains "more than 1,000 topically arranged articles written by a team of international scholars... explores the shifting problems that have arisen across national borders, geographic regions, time periods, linguistic systems, and cultural traditions in literary history...[including] pop culture-comic strips, soap operas, sermons, scientific essays, and more...With signed articles each with complete bibliographies [from publisher's description]

Smith, Verity, ed. Encyclopedia of Latin American Literature. London ; Chicago : Fitzroy Dearborn, c1997. (Olin Ref + PQ 7081 A1 E56x 1997)

Contains fairly substantial entries "on writers, works, and topics [e.g., Feminist Literary Theory, Jewish Writing, Foundational Literature, Mysticism] related to the literature of Latin America, including survey articles on all the continent's individual countries." (Editor's note). Each article contains a list of sources for further reading. Provides both a general index as well as a title index -- both original language title and English title -- of works discussed.

BIOGRAPHICAL SOURCES

Dance, Darkly Camber, ed. Fifty Caribbean Writers: A Bio-Bibliographical Critical Sourcebook. New York: Greenwood, 1986. (Uris Ref PR 9205 A52 F46; also Olin Ref)

The fifty essays included here are intended to introduce the reader to the wide range of important Caribbean writers, past and present. In addition to biographical information each essay includes criticism, bibliography and lists of honors and/or awards.

Flores, Angel. Spanish American Authors: The Twentieth Century. New York: Wilson, 1992. (Olin Ref + PQ 7081.3 F57x 1992; also Uris Ref)

This source includes more than 330 biographical sketches (many are autobiographical) of writers most exemplary of the literature of the countries of Spanish America. Arranged alphabetically by author, entries also include a bibliography of sources by and about the author.

Marting, Diane E., ed. Spanish American Women Writers: a Bio-bibliographical Source Book. New York: Greenwood Press, 1990. (Uris Ref PQ 7081 S 83; also Olin stacks Z1609 L7 S6x 1990)

This compilation consists of analytical and bibliographical studies of fifty of the most important women writers of Latin America from the seventeenth century to the present. The writers included represent most of the Spanish-speaking American nations and a variety of literary genres. Each entry provides biographical and career informaton, discusses the major themes in the body of work, and surveys criticism. A detailed bibliography of works by the writer, works available in translation, and works about the writer.