Wiley-Blackwell A Companion to the American Novel (Blackwell Companions to Literature and Culture)

Featuring 37 essays by distinguished literary scholars, A Companion to the American Novel provides a comprehensive single-volume treatment of the development of the novel in the United States from the late 18th century to the present day. Represents the most comprehensive single-volume introduction to this popular literary form currently available Features 37 contributions from a wide range of distinguished literary scholars Includes essays on topics and genres, historical overviews, and key individual works, including The Scarlet Letter, Moby Dick, The Great Gatsby, Beloved, and many more. Review “In addition to the various groups of essays, the book features a substantial chronology of American novels (from 1752 to 2000) and a series of lists of representative works in some of the most important traditions and genres discussed.”  (Poetics Today, 1 May 2014)“As a consolidation of prior scholarship and a spur to further investigation, it makes a meaningful and substantial contribution to the ongoing scholarly conversation about the American novel.”  (Review 19, 1 April 2013)“Summing Up: Recommended.  Upper-division undergraduates and above.”  (Choice, 1 November 2012) From the Inside Flap A Companion to the American Novel provides a comprehensive treatment of the development of the novel in the United States from its emergence in the eighteenth century to the present. Through a series of 38 essays written by a distinguished cast of literary scholars, the Companion provides a broad historical overview of the nature and development of the novel; perceptive studies of the crucial genres, topics, and traditions that define the literary form; and insightful analyses of 16 of the most important works of American fiction, including The Scarlet Letter, Moby-Dick, The Great Gatsby, Beloved, and many more. The variety of approaches presented here reflects the rich diversity of the form as it has evolved in the United States over the past two centuries. With its in-depth coverage and wealth of insights, A Companion to the American Novel is the most valuable single-volume examination of this major literary form available today. From the Back Cover A Companion to the American Novel provides a comprehensive treatment of the development of the novel in the United States from its emergence in the eighteenth century to the present. Through a series of 38 essays written by a distinguished cast of literary scholars, the Companion provides a broad historical overview of the nature and development of the novel; perceptive studies of the crucial genres, topics, and traditions that define the literary form; and insightful analyses of 16 of the most important works of American fiction, including The Scarlet Letter, Moby-Dick, The Great Gatsby, Beloved, and many more. The variety of approaches presented here reflects the rich diversity of the form as it has evolved in the United States over the past two centuries. With its in-depth coverage and wealth of insights, A Companion to the American Novel is the most valuable single-volume examination of this major literary form available today. About the Author Alfred Bendixen is Professor of English at Texas A & M University, and Founder and Executive Director of the American Literature Association. His books include Haunted Women (1985), an edition of the composite novel, The Whole Family (1986), The Amber Gods and Other Stories by Harriet Prescott Spofford (1989), Edith Wharton: New Critical Essays (1992), A Companion to the American Short Story (co-edited with James Nagel, Wiley-Blackwell, 2010), and The Cambridge Companion to American Travel Writing (co-edited with Judith Hamera, 2009).