Greenwood Dictionary of Brazilian Literature

An important contribution to a little-known area of literary study. The contributors provide a comprehensive overview of Brazilian literature; all are scholars of Brazilian literature. Choice The Dictionary of Brazilian Literature is an important addition to the field of Brazilian studies, an despite certain limitations, it should become a standard reference work in the United States as well as in Brazil. Literature and history scholars, students of Brazilian letters, and casual readers will find the book highly informative, up to date, well organized, carefully written, and reasonably complete. World Literature Today This is the first general dictionary of Brazilian literature for the English-speaking reader. The entries, which portray the literature within the sociocultural context of Brazilian life, describe more than 300 major figures and literary and cultural movements of Brazilian civilization. The time span extends from the epoch of discovery to the present day, and focuses on the twentieth century, particularly the most contemporary figures. The length of each entry reflects the significance of the subject; in order to cover as many writers and themes as possible, less well known or very recent authors are discussed in general thematic entries. Each entry provides concise, factual information. The more extensive pieces also offer a critical perspective for placing the writer in context, and provide conflicting critical opinions. The entries are of two types: author entries and thematic or movement entries. The thematic entries include the standard literary movements and also sociocultural movements of significance. The volume cross-references names both in the body of the text and in the index. Each entry includes a bibliography composed of additional selected works, translations, and criticism. This volume, which is designed for an English-speaking audience, stresses translations of works and critical references to English-language sources. It will be an important addition to college and university libraries, and a useful reference tool for courses in comparative literature. Review An important contribution to a little-known area of literary study. The contributors provide a comprehensive overview of Brazilian literature; all are scholars of Brazilian literature. . .-- " Choice" Recent years have seen something of a boomlet in the publishing of English language reference works on Hispanic literature. In the last few seasons, Greenwood Press has brought forth both Women Writers of Spain and Women Writers of Latin America. Now it has published this Dictionary of Brazilian Literature, which provides an introduction to Brazilian authors and literary movements for the English speaker. The main body of this Dictionary consists of approximately 300 entries on authors, genres, themes, movements, and other topics (art, music, dictatorship, soccer) which relate to Brazilian letters. Entries are contributed by 46 American, British, and Brazilian scholars and are signed. Twentieth-century writers and movements are emphasized. Each author entry includes a biographical sketch and critical evaluation and a bibliography of selected works, translations into English, and secondary sources (mostly in English). Frequent cross references, a glossary of Brazilian terms, a list of periodical abbreviations, and an index complete the volume. Broader in scope than the Dictionary of Contemporary Brazilian Authors (Guide BD113), the Dictionary of Brazilian Literature should prove valuable both for readers who cannot read Portuguese and for scholars in the field.-- " College & Research Libraries" Until the publication of the Dictionary of Brazilian Literature there were no comparable sources of such large scope on the subject available in English. A few similar works written in Portuguese do exist; but in many ways the present text surpasses those standard references, and for obvious reasons it has the potential