Salem Press
Absalom, Absalom!, by William Faulkner.
Madden (Louisiana State U.) and other literature scholars from the US and France, as well as a religion scholar, present 18 essays (new and previously published) on Absalom, Absalom! by William Faulkner. After a description of Faulkner's life and works and readings of the novel in its cultural-historical context, in comparison to The Great Gatsby and All the King's Men, its critical reception, and in terms of feminist theory, 10 previously published essays consider topics such as its theme, protagonists, feminism, race, storytelling, prose style, the Civil War, and time. Others compare the novel to Toni Morrison's Beloved and discuss it alongside The Sound and the Fury. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
The Aeneid, by Vergil.
Essays collected here investigate the themes of Vergil's Aeneid, its place in the history of literature, and its influence on early Christian authors. Early chapters offer background on the Aeneid, biographical background on Vergil, and a brief essay outlining his influence and significance, representing the perspective of The Paris Review literary magazine. The rest of the essays shed light on the Aeneid's cultural and historical context and offer critical analysis. Some specific chapter topics include the Aeneid and Greek epic, Dante's Vergil in limbo, the critical reception of the Aeneid, the innocence of Italy the Aeneid, and Vergil and the sibyl of Cumae. A chronology of Vergil's life and times is included, along with a list of works by Vergil. Forman teaches English and classics at St. John's University. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Albert Camus.
A Frenchman born and raised in Algeria in North Africa, Camus was an influential playwright and novelist. This collection of essays begins with biographical commentary on the life, career, and influence of Albert Camus from three different perspectives. The next four essays are critical works that discuss his identity as an outsider European living among the native Arab and African people and discuss his writings that blur those lines of distinction. The final 11 essays are critical looks at his body of work from a variety of perspectives. Also included is a reference guide to his work, a chronology of his life and bios on the contributors, and a list of works cited. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
The Bell Jar, by Sylvia Plath.
The commissioned and previously published essays collected here show how Sylvia Plath's novel The Bell Jar has been viewed over time, from its first publication in 1963 to the present. Essays have been selected based on their readability for college students and general readers, and represent a range of critical perspectives; all of the commissioned essays are written by female poet/scholars. The first part of the book offers a biography of Plath, an overview of The Bell Jar, and an analysis of the role of the 1950s in bringing about main character Esther's breakdown. There is also a brief essay representing the perspective of The Paris Review literary magazine. The rest of the essays explore critical contexts and offer critical readings. Some specific topics include cultural and historical context of the novel, a comparison of The Bell Jar and Susanna Kaysen's Girl, Interrupted, sexual ambivalence in The Bell Jar, and Plath and Mademoiselle magazine. The book includes a chronology of Plath's life and a list of works. McCann is affiliated with Texas A&M University. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger.
Dewey (modern and contemporary American literature, U. of Pittsburgh) compiles 21 essays on J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye. Contributed by writers and scholars of literature, English, and related areas from the US, Canada, and Japan, the classic and contemporary essays approach the novel from the perspective of the reader and address the emotional impact of Holden Caulfield's voice; its literary ancestors; its impact on the perception of adolescence in novels, films, music, and television; and relationship between the novel and its cultural community. They also examine its history, including its banning in postwar America; its critique of capitalism; its themes of discontent in adolescence and Christian compassion; gender studies, social psychology, and media studies' views; the symbolic implications of the death of Holden's younger brother; its ending and Holden's epiphany; and other aspects. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Flannery O'Connor.
In thematic, social, genre, critical, and biographical contexts, May (emeritus, California State U., Long Beach) introduces the enigmatic short fiction of Flannery O'Connor with its Catholic symbolism and violence. Critical essays discuss romance tradition and U.S. Southern religious influences on her; her themes of the meaning of evil and suffering, and women's barriers in a patriarchal society; comic responses; and critical reception. An essay from The Paris Review offers a personal perspective on encountering her "wisdom literature" stories. The volume includes a chronology of Flannery's life (1925-1964), publications and awards; list of her works; and bibliography. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Great lives from history. African Americans; 5v. (online access included)
The latest offering in the publisher's "Great Lives" series comprises profiles of 841 individuals and is presented in five volumes. Essays range from two to four pages in length and are assembled according to a consistent format that includes basic biographical date, a synopsis of achievements, and an essay on the subject's, life, work, and significance. The essays are signed and contain references and cross references; many include a b&w photo. Most of the people have not been covered in other volumes in the series, they represent all fields of endeavor, and more than one-half are contemporary figures. Appendices in the fifth volume offer a chronological list of entries, a mediagraphy, a literary bibliography, listings of organizations and societies and research centers and libraries, a bibliography, and a website directory. Indexing is by category (of work), people, and subject. Online access to the contents is included with purchase of the print version. Bankston (Tulane U.) has gathered work from several hundred contributors affiliated with academic institutions in the US. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Harlan Ellison.
Harlan Ellison is the subject of the 21 essays compiled by Francavilla (English, Columbus State U.) in this volume on his works of science fiction and fantasy, including Deathbird Stories, "I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream," "Shatterday," A Boy and His Dog, and "Psy-Fi." Both new and previously published essays by literature scholars from the US and Europe examine Ellison's life, career, and influence; critical reception; relationship with the science fiction and fantasy community; theme of social engagement in his short fiction; comparison to Cormac McCarthy and Edgar Allan Poe; mythological and psychological themes; his work in the television industry; his persona as author, storyteller, and narrator; his critique of Western culture; and his speculative fiction. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
The Inferno, by Dante.
There has been a "mini-renaissance" in recent years in the appreciation of Dante's La Divinia Commedia (The Divine Comedy). To render this epic poem accessible, Hunt (Stanford U./ medieval and Renaissance studies, U. of California, Los Angeles introduces the Inferno, its first 34 cantos, in biographical, source, structural, and critical contexts. Critical essays written for this volume read aspects of the epic seminally written in Italian (rather than Latin), e.g., its critical reception, comparison with his other works, and influence. A contribution from the Paris Review reflects on various interpretations. Includes a Dante chronology (1265-1321), list of his works, and bibliography. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Jack London.
Berkove (English, U. of Michigan-Dearborn) brings together a group of literature scholars from the US and Ireland for 18 essays on the career, life, and influence of American author Jack London. Topics include the themes of Darwinism, naturalism, moral idealism, and racism in his works; the historical context; comparisons to Mark Twain and the attitudes of Thomas Jefferson and Ralph Waldo Emerson; critical reception; his move from traditional male and female characters to characters who combine characteristics of both sexes; and analyses of Martin Eden, Barley Corn, The Call of the Wild, The Star Rover, Tales of Cannibals and Headhunters, his essay "Telic Action & Collective Stupidity," his short stories, and his early fiction. Some essays were previously published. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
John Cheever.
This work provides broad coverage of John Cheever's work, with seven essays written for this collection and 12 previous published essays (five of the 12 have been published since 1994, and only 2 of the 12 have been previously reprinted or excerpted). The first part of the book contains biographical background and a brief essay outlining his influence and significance, representing the perspective of The Paris Review literary magazine. The rest of the book presents essays on critical contexts and critical readings, exploring Cheever's major themes, such as suburban life and commercialism, in the context of 1950s conformity and the crisis of masculinity. One essay provides a book-by-book analysis of reviewers' assessments of Cheever's work. Other subjects explored are the lyrical structure of Cheever's fiction and Cheever's brother stories. The book includes a chronology and a list of his works. Morace teaches English at Daemen College (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
John Updike.
Rodgers (literature, Bard College) brings together 20 essays by literature scholars from the US and Canada who survey the work of John Updike and critical responses to it. New essays on his career, life, and influences, as well as new and reprinted essays on the critical contexts of his writing consider major themes, characters, motifs, and issues in his work, such as its social and historical context. Individual essays discuss comparisons to William Dean Howells; his semiautobiographical characters; and popular and scholarly responses and analyses to such works as Pigeon Feathers, and Other Stories, Seek My Face, The Centaur, Couples, Museums and Women, Of the Farm, the Rabbit series, Bech: A Book, Gertrude and Claudius, In the Beauty of the Lilies, and his Scarlet Letter trilogy. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
King Lear, by William Shakespeare.
Halio (English, U. of Delaware) collects 18 new and reprinted essays by literature scholars from the US and Israel who analyze the context and content of Shakespeare's King Lear. Following a biography of Shakespeare, historical background on the play, and readings of key passages and the use of imagery, versification, and allusion in them, essays are presented on the contrast between the play and Marlowe's Tamburlaine and critical reception to it. These are followed by reprinted essays on topics such as a comparison of the two texts of the play, its sources in myths and archetypal legends, its language and imagery, a scene-by-scene reading, adaptations of aspects of comedy for tragic effect, and themes of patriarchy and the role of the mother and suffering. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Lillian Hellman.
American playwright Lillian Hellman is the focus of this compilation, which brings together 19 new and reprinted articles on her life and work. Rollyson (journalism, Baruch College, City U. of New York) draws together US scholars in literature, as well as one in international law, to discuss evil in her works; their dramatic structure; her adherence to the "well-made play"; the source for The Children's Hour, its theme of lesbianism, and its adaptations for the screen; her collaboration with director William Wyler for screen versions of Dead End, The Children's Hour, and The Little Foxes, as well as what she learned from cinematographer Gregg Toland; her critical view of the South in The Little Foxes and Another Part of the Forest; the influence of Toys in the Attic on Tennessee Williams, rather than vice versa; The Autumn Garden; her film Julia from Pentimento; and her memoir Scoundrel Time. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
The Metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka.
Kafka's novella The Metamorphosis was first published about 100 years ago. Essays collected here survey of the critical reception of The Metamorphosis, analyze its themes, and compare it to other works of literature. The books begins with biographical background on Kafka and a brief essay outlining Kafka's influence and the significance of The Metamorphosis, representing the perspective of The Paris Review literary magazine. The rest of the book reviews cultural and historical contexts and presents critical readings. Some specific subjects examined include Kafka's metaphor for extreme alienation, confinement in The Metamorphosis, and a comparison of Kafka's and Nabokov's images of dwarves, saints, and beetles. The book also includes a chronology of Kafka's life and list of works. Whitlark (English, Texas Tech U.) has written a previous book on Kafka. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Mrs. Dalloway, by Virginia Woolf.
This collection of seven commissioned chapters and 10 previously published essays, journal articles, and book chapters on Woolf's fourth novel is intended to enhance readers' understanding of the book, to facilitate research and new writing about Mrs. Dalloway, and to foster greater appreciation of the novel among teachers, students, and general readers. The collection begins with an overview of the novel and its origins, a biography of Woolf, and a brief essay outlining its influence and significance, representing the perspective of The Paris Review literary magazine. Essays on critical contexts and critical readings examine aspects such as the "death of the soul" in Mrs. Dalloway, alienation in Mrs. Dalloway and Sula by Toni Morrison, and Woolf's feminist representations of mourning in Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse. A chronology and a list of works by Woolf are included. Robbins is affiliated with Louisiana Tech University. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, by James Joyce.
Joycean scholars discuss James Joyce's main character, Stephen Dedalus, as they bring insight into the political and historical climate of the early 1900s. The 14 essays contained in this collection investigate Joyce as Dedalus and the character he creates in relation to the conditions of the time. The essays are divided up in sections of concentration, beginning with perspective and biography of Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man and its author. The subsequent essays concentrate on critical contexts and readings. The Irish Revival was on the rise and therefore influential in Joyce's writings. His sympathies and criticisms are addressed, as well as themes of sexual repression and women's roles in Irish culture. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen.
Mazzeno (English, Alvernia U.) presents 18 essays by English, literature, philosophy, and theology scholars from North America and New Zealand who introduce students and nonspecialists in Jane Austen studies to Pride and Prejudice. Six original essays provide background on Austen and critical perspectives on topics like how and why the novel has spawned so many different readings, its critical history and historical context, Austen's lifelong commitment to writing, representations of the role and status of women in society, and the importance of female education in the novel. In addition, 12 reprinted essays demonstrate various traditional and new approaches to Austen's writing and discuss the book's main themes, the relationship between form and content, feminist perspectives, male figures in the novel, how Austen invites readers into the story and leads them toward specific responses, psychological and theological readings, and illustrations of human value systems. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Saul Bellow.
The first section of this collection of essays on author Saul Bellow contains biographical background and a brief essay outlining his influence and significance, representing the perspective of The Paris Review literary magazine. The rest of the book examines themes in Bellow's writing and offers critical readings of works including The Victim, The Adventures of Augie March, Seize the Day, and The Dean's December. Some themes explored are psychology and the fiction of Saul Bellow, the Holocaust and history in Bellow and Malamud, and Bellow and the literature of boredom. The book contains a chronology and a list of works. Chavkin teaches English at Texas State University-San Marcos. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Sherman Alexie.
Essays in this collection on Native American author Sherman Alexie have been chosen to address the interests and needs of a broad range of readers, including students, teachers, and scholars. Contributors include American and international scholars, as well as Native American scholars and critics, who are sometimes at odds with Alexie's writing. The first part of the book contains biographical background and a brief essay outlining his influence and significance, representing the perspective of The Paris Review literary magazine. The rest of the book reviews critical contexts and offers critical readings. Some topics include collective trauma in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, minority existence in white America in Alexie's Indian Killer and Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye, and the exaggeration of despair in Alexie's Reservation Blues. Other subjects include Alexie's recent short fiction and poetry, and queer identities in his work. The book also contains two interviews with Alexie, plus a chronology and a list of works. Lewis teaches at English Appalachian State University. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Survey of American industry and careers; 6v. (online access included)
This six-volume reference contains in-depth description of 112 North American industries and related jobs and careers, drawing on data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and other sources. The essays are formatted uniformly, each occupying 12-15 pages and consisting of 8,000 to 10,000 words. Coverage includes career clusters, subcategory industries, related industries, annual domestic and international revenues, a history and snapshot of where the industry stands today, market segments, organizational structure and job roles, outlook, related resources, information about the author, and further reading. Numerous sidebars and tables supplement the entries with information about the industry's contributions to the economy, resources consumed by the industry, and occupation specialties and profiles. Information includes classification of skills according to the Holland interest score (e.g. A = artistic, C = conventional and detail-oriented, E = enterprising). Back matter includes employment by industry, 2008 and projected 2018; Fortune 500 companies, by industry; a bibliography; and an electronic resources listing. Indexing is by career cluster, jobs and careers, and subject. Online access to the contents is included with purchase of the print edition. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Willa Cather.
Birns (literature, Eugene Lang College) brings together 18 essays on the life and work of American writer Willa Cather. After an overview of her fiction, poetry, and criticism, literature scholars from North America and the Netherlands discuss various aspects of Cather's career, including her literary techniques, reception, the philosophical assumptions behind her works, Native American subtexts, and feminist, biographical, formal, and cultural approaches to studying such works as O Pioneers!, A Lost Lady, "Paul's Case," Death Comes for the Archbishop, Sapphira and the Slave Girl, One of Ours (in comparison to The Great Gatsby), and her short fiction. Some essays have been previously published. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
