The Oxford Companion to English Literature

Seventh Edition

Edited by Dinah Birch

Oxford Companions

The seventh edition of the acclaimed guide, now under the editorship of Dinah Birch
Wide-ranging coverage of writers, works, historical context, literary theory, and allusions
Encompasses recent writers, ideas, and scholarship, as well as shifting the overall tone of the Companion to bring it more in line with current language usage
Areas such as science fiction, biography, travel writing, crime fiction, and fantasy are more thoroughly covered
Over 150 contributors, including Chris Baldick, Elleke Boehmer, David Bradshaw, John Carey, Ian Christie, Peter Kemp, Hermione Lee, Michael Rosen, and Stanley Wells
Detailed chronology shows key literary works and events of the last thousand years in historical context
Lists of poets laureate and literary prize winners from inception to the present day

New to this Edition:

Greater coverage is given to areas such as biography, children's literature, travel writing, crime fiction, fantasy, and science fiction
Literature crucial to contemporary courses, such as post-colonial literature, women's writing, and gay and lesbian writing, are all covered more comprehensively
More thematic entries are included, including essays by high-profile writers, offering personal points of view on their areas of expertise
Improved cross-referencing throughout the Companion makes it easier to navigate and to locate relevant information
Bibliographical information included for major entries, on both authors and themes
Encompasses recent writers, ideas, and scholarship, as well as shifting the overall tone of the Companion to bring it more in line with current language usage
Now under the editorship of Dinah Birch

The Oxford Companion to English Literature

Seventh Edition

Edited by Dinah Birch

Description

The Oxford Companion to English Literature has long been established as the leading reference resource for students, teachers, scholars, and general readers of English literature. It provides unrivalled coverage of all aspects of English literature - from writers, their works, and the historical and cultural context in which they wrote, to critics, literary theory, and allusions.

For the seventh edition, the Companion has been thoroughly revised and updated to meet the needs and concerns of today's students and general readers. Over 1,000 new entries have been added, ranging from new writers - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Patrick Marber, David Mitchell, Arundhati Roy - to increased coverage of writers and literary movements from around the world. Coverage of American literature has been substantially increased, with new entries on writers such as Cormac McCarthy and Amy Tan and on movements and publications.

Contextual and historical coverage has also been expanded, with new entries on European history and culture, post-colonial literature, as well as writers and literary movements from around the world that have influenced English literature.

The Companion has always been a quick and dependable source of reference for students, and the new edition confirms its pre-eminent role as the go-to resource of first choice. All entries have been reviewed, and details of new works, biographies, and criticism have been brought right up to date. So also has coverage of the themes, approaches and concepts encountered by students today, from terms to articles on literary theory and theorists. There is increased coverage of writers from around the world, as well as from Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, and of contextual topics, including film and television, music, and art. Cross-referencing has been thoroughly updated, with stronger linking from writers to thematic and conceptual entries.

Meanwhile coverage of popular genres such as children's literature, science fiction, biography, reportage, crime fiction, fantasy or travel literature has been increased substantially, with new entries on writers from Philip Pullman to Anne Frank and from Anais Nin to Douglas Adams.

The seventh edition of this classic Companion - now under the editorship of Dinah Birch, assisted by a team of 28 distinguished associate editors, and over 150 contributors - ensures that it retains its status as the most authoritative, informative, and accessible guide to literature available.

The Oxford Companion to English Literature

Seventh Edition

Edited by Dinah Birch

Oxford Companions

Preface to Seventh Edition
Contributors' Biographies
Abbreviations
Note to the Reader
1: Contemporary Literary Culture, Hermione Lee
2: Literature and History, Kelvin Everest
3: Black British Literature, Benedict Ledent
4: Children's Literature, Michael Rosen
The Oxford Companion to English Literature A-Z
Chronology
Poets Laureate
Literary Awards
Index of Contributors

The Oxford Companion to English Literature

Seventh Edition

Edited by Dinah Birch

Oxford Companions

Author Information

Edited by Dinah Birch, University of Liverpool

Contributors:

Contributors to the new edition:

Linda Anderson, Paul Baines, Chris Baldick, Dinah Birch, Kirstie Blair, Elleke Boehmer, Mishtooni Bose, David Bradshaw, Roy Bridges, John Bull, Barrie Bullen, John Carey, Ian Christie, Neil Corcoran, Anthony Cross, Patrick Crotty, Guy Cuthbertson, Leigh Dale, Tom Earle, A.C. Elias, Kelvin Everest, Jane E. Everson, Russell Goulbourne, Clive Griffin, Jasper Griffin, Alexandra Harris, Katharine Hodgson, Peter Hunt, Alan Jones, W. Gareth Jones, N. H. Keeble, Peter Kemp, Bénédicte Ledent, Hermione Lee, Jane Moore, David Norton, Francis O'Gorman, Peter Parker, Alasdair Pettinger, Deryn Rees-Jones, Nick Rennison, Kimberley Reynolds, Isabel Rivers, Michael Rosen, Christopher Rowe, Andy Sawyer, David Seed, Jim Simpson, John Sloan, Angela Smith, Eric Southworth, John Strachan, Carl Thompson, Sam Trainor, Norman Vance, Edward Welch, Stanley Wells, Richard White, Anne Whitehead, Michael H. Whitworth, Henry Woudhuysen, Jane Wright, and Tim Youngs.

Editor Dinah Birch introduces 'The Oxford Companion to English Literature' in this 'Meet the Author' video

The Oxford Companion to English Literature

Seventh Edition

Edited by Dinah Birch

Oxford Companions

Reviews and Awards

"This is a sympathetic study of an important part of recent social history." - Contemporary Review

"Continues to stand out as distinctive, authoritative, and a work of excellence'" - Reference Reviews

"Increasing user-friendliness and a nice "up to date" feel" - Reference Reviews

"Sumptuous volume." - Ferdinand Mount, Standpoint

"Detailed, clear and lively accounts." - Michael Kerrigan, The Scotsman

"A classic now made contemporary, this really is a boon companion." - Michael Kerrigan, The Scotsman

"Birch and the contributors have done an excellent job." - Sameer Rahim, Daily Telegraph

"Excellence is in the details." - Times Literary Supplement, Henry Hitchings

"This is a scrupulously produced, smartly laid-out, academically serious and at the same time relishably browsable book." - Henry Hitchings, The Times Literary Supplement

"It offers companionable assistance; it's your pal in literary need." - John Sutherland, Sunday Times