Locating Literary Criticism, Book Reviews, and Plot Summaries, A Guide to Literary Research
Plot Summaries
Masterplots PN 44.M335 Annual "Essay-reviews of 100 outstanding books published in the United States during the previous year."
Masterplots: Race and the Founding of an American Literature, 1787-1845 PS208.G37 1998
Masterplots: 2010 plot stories & essay reviews from the world's fine literature Ref. PN 44.M33 1976
Masterplots II: American Fiction SeriesRef. PN 846.M37 1986 "Includes more than 360 interpretative essays on works of twentieth-century fiction published in the United States and Latin America."
Masterplots II. Short story seriesRef. PN 3326.M27 1986 "Examines the theme, characters, plot, style and technique of more than 700 nineteenth and twentieth-century works by prominent authors from around the world."
1,300 Critical Evaluations of Selected Novels and Plays Ref. PN 44.M344 1978 Entries include short evaluations with a minimum plot summary.
Masterplots Cyclopedia of Literary Characters "Characters and characteristics in literature."
Reference Works of Short Literary Criticism
Gale Series of Literary Criticism Each title in the Gale Series provides a compilation of short critical essays written contemporary to the publication of a work, and spanning time to recent critical essays. Each volume has a cumulative author index which indexes all of the Gale literary criticism series, as well as other Gale titles containing more biographical information, such as Contemporary Authors and the DLB (Dictionary of Literary Biography. To locate essays on a particular work use the paperback title index. The MLA Bibliography database now offers the ability to search the index to this set online: Search for Author, Title, or a Custom Search (Look for authors in the Index by name, birth date, death date, or nationality. Literature Criticism From 1400-1800Ref. PN 86.L53 "Excerpts from criticism of the works of fifteenth, sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth century novelists, playwrights, and other creative writers, from the first published critical appraisals to current evaluations." Nineteenth Century Literature CriticismRef. PN 761.N5 Overview of an author's work or starting in-depth research on international authors who died between 1800 and 1899. Format includes biographical sketch and accomplishments of the subject, lists of principal works, essays arranged in chronological order. Twentieth Century Literary Criticism. Ref. PN 771.T8 Serves as an introduction to authors who died between 1900 and 1960 and to the most significant interpretations of these authors' works. Presents a survey of an author's career or an individual work of literature and provides the user with interpretation and assessments. Contemporary Literary CriticismRef. PN 771.C62 Presents significant passages from the published criticism of work by well-known authors -- novelists, short story writers, poets, playwrights -- now living or having died since 1960. The critical evaluation spans from the beginning of the author's career to the most current. In each entry an introductory essay is followed by a list of the author's principle works, criticism and further readings. Poetry Criticism: excerpts from criticism of the works of the most significant and widely studied poets of world literatureRef. PN 1010.P499 Short Story CriticismRef. PN 3373.S386 Additional Works 1,300 Critical Evaluations of Selected Novels and PlaysRef. PN44.M344 1978 4 vols. American Literary Scholarship Annual. Ref. PS 3.A47 Essays that assess the year's research in American literature. In the first section scholars focus on specific major writers and in the second section the focus is on literary periods, forms, and topics. American Writer's Classics Ref. PS129.A552 v.1 2003.Comparative Criticism Multi-volume, annual yearbook. PN863.C58 Encyclopedia of Literary Critics and Criticism Ref. PN75.E53 1999 2 vols. Literary Criticism Register: A Monthly Listing of Studies in English and American Literature. Ref. PR 27.A12.L5 Provides bibliographical access to scholarship in English and American literary studies and critical theory relating to literature. Scholarly journals are reviewed for relevant items and recent monographs are listed. Literary Criticism on the Web Literary Theorists and Critics (Questia online library) Literary Theory Links Modern American Critics, 1920-1955. Dictionary of Literary Biography v. 63 Ref. PN451.D54 vol. 63 Modern American Critics Since 1955. Dictionary of Literary Biography v. 67 Ref. PN451.D54 vol. 67 Modern American Literature3 volumes and 2 supplements. Ref. PS 221.M6 Contains excerpts from critical commentary about the work of a select number of poets, fiction writers, and dramatists. Modern American Literature Ref. PS 221.M53 1999 Online Literary Criticism Collection "Provided by the Internet Public Library, this site provides links directly to critical and biographical Web sites about U.S. and British works from pre-1500 to the present."
Gale Series of Literary Criticism Each title in the Gale Series provides a compilation of short critical essays written contemporary to the publication of a work, and spanning time to recent critical essays. Each volume has a cumulative author index which indexes all of the Gale literary criticism series, as well as other Gale titles containing more biographical information, such as Contemporary Authors and the DLB (Dictionary of Literary Biography. To locate essays on a particular work use the paperback title index. The MLA Bibliography database now offers the ability to search the index to this set online: Search for Author, Title, or a Custom Search (Look for authors in the Index by name, birth date, death date, or nationality.
1,300 Critical Evaluations of Selected Novels and PlaysRef. PN44.M344 1978 4 vols.
American Literary Scholarship Annual. Ref. PS 3.A47 Essays that assess the year's research in American literature. In the first section scholars focus on specific major writers and in the second section the focus is on literary periods, forms, and topics.
American Writer's Classics Ref. PS129.A552 v.1 2003.
Comparative Criticism Multi-volume, annual yearbook. PN863.C58
Encyclopedia of Literary Critics and Criticism Ref. PN75.E53 1999 2 vols.
Literary Criticism Register: A Monthly Listing of Studies in English and American Literature. Ref. PR 27.A12.L5 Provides bibliographical access to scholarship in English and American literary studies and critical theory relating to literature. Scholarly journals are reviewed for relevant items and recent monographs are listed.
Literary Criticism on the Web
Literary Theorists and Critics (Questia online library)
Literary Theory Links
Modern American Critics, 1920-1955. Dictionary of Literary Biography v. 63 Ref. PN451.D54 vol. 63
Modern American Critics Since 1955. Dictionary of Literary Biography v. 67 Ref. PN451.D54 vol. 67
Modern American Literature3 volumes and 2 supplements. Ref. PS 221.M6 Contains excerpts from critical commentary about the work of a select number of poets, fiction writers, and dramatists.
Modern American Literature Ref. PS 221.M53 1999
Online Literary Criticism Collection "Provided by the Internet Public Library, this site provides links directly to critical and biographical Web sites about U.S. and British works from pre-1500 to the present."
Ethnic Literary Criticism
African American Literary Criticism, 1773-2000 Ref. PS153.N5 A33 1999Black Literature Criticism: excerpts from criticism of the most significant works of Black authors over the past 200 yearsRef. PS 153.N5 B556 1992 Hispanic Literature CriticismRef. PQ 7081.A1 H573 1994 Hispanic Literature of the United States: a comprehensive reference Ref. PS153.H56 K36 2003Masterpieces of Latino LiteratureRef. PQ 7081.A1 M29 1994 Native North American Literature: biographical and critical information on native writers and orators from the United States and Canada from historical times to the presentRef. PS508.I5 N38 1994 Reading U.S. Latina Writers: remapping American Literature PS153.H56 R42 2003Twentieth-century Spanish American Literature to 1960Ref. PQ7081.A1 T842 1997 Twentieth-century Spanish American Literature Since 1960Ref. PQ7081.A1 T84 1997
African American Literary Criticism, 1773-2000 Ref. PS153.N5 A33 1999
Black Literature Criticism: excerpts from criticism of the most significant works of Black authors over the past 200 yearsRef. PS 153.N5 B556 1992
Hispanic Literature CriticismRef. PQ 7081.A1 H573 1994
Hispanic Literature of the United States: a comprehensive reference Ref. PS153.H56 K36 2003
Masterpieces of Latino LiteratureRef. PQ 7081.A1 M29 1994
Native North American Literature: biographical and critical information on native writers and orators from the United States and Canada from historical times to the presentRef. PS508.I5 N38 1994
Reading U.S. Latina Writers: remapping American Literature PS153.H56 R42 2003
Twentieth-century Spanish American Literature to 1960Ref. PQ7081.A1 T842 1997
Twentieth-century Spanish American Literature Since 1960Ref. PQ7081.A1 T84 1997
Genre
Bibliography of Feminist Criticism Ref. PN98.W64 G64 1987 The Beat Generation: A Gale Critical Companion Ref. PS228.B6 Z68 2003 3 vols. The Cambridge companion to nineteenth-century American women's writing Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2001. Ref. PS147 .C36 2001 The Companion to Southern Literature: Themes, Genres, Places, People, Movements, and MotifsRef. PS261.C55 2002 Critical Survey of Long Fiction: English Language SeriesRef. PN 3451.C7 Critical Survey of Poetry: English Language SeriesRef. PN 1111.C7 Critical Survey of Short FictionRef. PN 3321 .C7 "History & criticism, as well as bio-bibliographical material." Feminist Literary Theory: A Bibliography Ref. PN98.W64 N675 1998 Literary criticism and myth Ref. PN56.M94 L57 1996 Masterpieces of Women's LiteratureRef. PS 147.M37 Studies in American Literature - Series Search as title on the Library Catalog Survey of Modern Fantasy LiteratureRef. PN 56.F34 S97 1983 Survey of Science Fiction LiteratureRef. PN 3448.S45 S88 Survey of Science Fiction Literature: supplementRef. PN 3448.S45 S882 Twentieth Century Short Story Explication: new series; with checklists of books and journals usedRef. PN 3373.W33 1993
Bibliography of Feminist Criticism Ref. PN98.W64 G64 1987
The Beat Generation: A Gale Critical Companion Ref. PS228.B6 Z68 2003 3 vols.
The Cambridge companion to nineteenth-century American women's writing Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2001. Ref. PS147 .C36 2001
The Companion to Southern Literature: Themes, Genres, Places, People, Movements, and MotifsRef. PS261.C55 2002
Critical Survey of Long Fiction: English Language SeriesRef. PN 3451.C7
Critical Survey of Poetry: English Language SeriesRef. PN 1111.C7
Critical Survey of Short FictionRef. PN 3321 .C7 "History & criticism, as well as bio-bibliographical material."
Feminist Literary Theory: A Bibliography Ref. PN98.W64 N675 1998
Literary criticism and myth Ref. PN56.M94 L57 1996
Masterpieces of Women's LiteratureRef. PS 147.M37
Studies in American Literature - Series Search as title on the Library Catalog
Survey of Modern Fantasy LiteratureRef. PN 56.F34 S97 1983
Survey of Science Fiction LiteratureRef. PN 3448.S45 S88
Survey of Science Fiction Literature: supplementRef. PN 3448.S45 S882
Twentieth Century Short Story Explication: new series; with checklists of books and journals usedRef. PN 3373.W33 1993
Locating Longer Works of Criticism
Locating books of criticism about an author and his/her works.
Search author's name as a SUBJECT SEARCH on the Library Catalog. If a list of subject headings for the author appears, select the heading "Criticism And Interpretation", for materials which specifically contain critical analysis. Other headings (see examples below) will offer sources containing biographical information, comparative analysis and critical interpretation of the authors' life, influences, philosophy, themes, etc. Discussions of particular works may be accessed by using the indexes within each book. Example: Hurston Zora Neale [as SUBJECT] Hurston Zora Neale "Folklore, memoirs, and other writings" "The ironic vision of four Black women novelists: a study of the novels..." Hurston Zora Neale Bibliography "Zora Neale Hurston: a reference guide" Hurston Zora Neale Criticism And Interpretation "Critical Essays On Zora Neale Hurston" "Zora Neale Hurston: Critical Perspectives Past And Present" Hurston Zora Neale Political And Social Views "Every tub must sit on its own bottom: the philosophy and politics of Zora Neale Hurston" Often, you can find bibliographies on a particular author, or books devoted to critical discussion of a particular work or themes. Sometimes the SUBJECT search list will include specific works of criticism, or, search by KEYWORD, combining the author's last name and title, or other themes: see examples below. Search by KEYWORD: Examples: Hemingway and Farewell to arms Hemingway and criticism Thoreau and Walden Thoreau and nature Thoreau and bibliography Locating articles of criticism in books, journals, and newspapers Use Periodical Indexes and Databases to locate critical literary articles. Select "Articles, Search Databases" from the library homepage. MLA (Modern Language Association) Bibliography (Online) 1981 to the present MLA is the premier database for literary criticism & analysis, produced by the Modern Language Society. It indexes books, periodical articles, essays, festschriften and dissertations published throughout the world on topics relating to literature, linguistics, and folklore, drama, etc. The MLA database now offers the ability to search the index to the Gale Criticism sets online: Search for Author, Title, or a Custom Search (Look for authors in the Index by name, birth date, death date, or nationality. Search by author and title of work, or author as subject, or author within the descriptor field - - combine with other topics, for example: Thoreau and myth, Thoreau and nature, Angelou and identity, or - - Use the Descriptor terms to gain a broader comparative perspective: For example: role of ethnic identity
If a list of subject headings for the author appears, select the heading "Criticism And Interpretation", for materials which specifically contain critical analysis. Other headings (see examples below) will offer sources containing biographical information, comparative analysis and critical interpretation of the authors' life, influences, philosophy, themes, etc. Discussions of particular works may be accessed by using the indexes within each book. Example: Hurston Zora Neale [as SUBJECT] Hurston Zora Neale "Folklore, memoirs, and other writings" "The ironic vision of four Black women novelists: a study of the novels..." Hurston Zora Neale Bibliography "Zora Neale Hurston: a reference guide" Hurston Zora Neale Criticism And Interpretation "Critical Essays On Zora Neale Hurston" "Zora Neale Hurston: Critical Perspectives Past And Present" Hurston Zora Neale Political And Social Views "Every tub must sit on its own bottom: the philosophy and politics of Zora Neale Hurston" Often, you can find bibliographies on a particular author, or books devoted to critical discussion of a particular work or themes. Sometimes the SUBJECT search list will include specific works of criticism, or, search by KEYWORD, combining the author's last name and title, or other themes: see examples below. Search by KEYWORD: Examples: Hemingway and Farewell to arms Hemingway and criticism Thoreau and Walden Thoreau and nature Thoreau and bibliography
Other headings (see examples below) will offer sources containing biographical information, comparative analysis and critical interpretation of the authors' life, influences, philosophy, themes, etc. Discussions of particular works may be accessed by using the indexes within each book.
Example: Hurston Zora Neale [as SUBJECT]
Search by KEYWORD:
Examples: Hemingway and Farewell to arms Hemingway and criticism Thoreau and Walden Thoreau and nature Thoreau and bibliography
Use Periodical Indexes and Databases to locate critical literary articles. Select "Articles, Search Databases" from the library homepage. MLA (Modern Language Association) Bibliography (Online) 1981 to the present MLA is the premier database for literary criticism & analysis, produced by the Modern Language Society. It indexes books, periodical articles, essays, festschriften and dissertations published throughout the world on topics relating to literature, linguistics, and folklore, drama, etc. The MLA database now offers the ability to search the index to the Gale Criticism sets online: Search for Author, Title, or a Custom Search (Look for authors in the Index by name, birth date, death date, or nationality. Search by author and title of work, or author as subject, or author within the descriptor field - - combine with other topics, for example: Thoreau and myth, Thoreau and nature, Angelou and identity, or - - Use the Descriptor terms to gain a broader comparative perspective: For example: role of ethnic identity
MLA (Modern Language Association) Bibliography (Online) 1981 to the present MLA is the premier database for literary criticism & analysis, produced by the Modern Language Society. It indexes books, periodical articles, essays, festschriften and dissertations published throughout the world on topics relating to literature, linguistics, and folklore, drama, etc. The MLA database now offers the ability to search the index to the Gale Criticism sets online: Search for Author, Title, or a Custom Search (Look for authors in the Index by name, birth date, death date, or nationality.
or - - Use the Descriptor terms to gain a broader comparative perspective: For example: role of ethnic identity
Indexes & Databases
Abstracts of English Studies 1958 to the present Abstracts from 500 journals deal with American and English literature, English language, and world literature in English. Ref. PE25.A16 American Humanities Index 1975 to the present Ref. AI3.A278 Provides author and subject indexing of about 300 creative, critical and scholarly serials in the arts and humanities. Arts and Humanities Citation Index 1976 to the present, print Ref. AI 3.A77; (online) A multidisciplinary index to literature of the arts and humanities analyzing periodical articles by authors (Source Index), cited authors (Citation Index) and keyword (Permuterm). Bibliographic Index 1937 to the present Ref. Z1002.B594 Provides author and subject access to bibliographies published separately as books and articles and as parts of books listing 50 or more citations. Contemporary Authors Contemporary Authors is a comprehensive source of biographical information on over 100,000 modern novelists, playwrights, poets, scriptwriters, non-fiction writers and journalists. JSTOR (online) Digitized complete full-text backfiles of core scholarly journals across the disciplines. MLA (Modern Language Association) Bibliography (Online) 1981 to the present MLA is the premier database for literary criticism & analysis, produced by the Modern Language Society. It indexes books, periodical articles, essays, festschriften and dissertations published throughout the world on topics relating to literature, linguistics, and folklore, drama, etc. The print index is also available, 1921 - 1992, Wilson 1E Periodicals PB35.A252 Pooles Index 1802-1906 Ref. AI3.P7 Nineteenth century periodicals indexed alphabetically by subject, author and title. ProQuest (online) Readers Guide to Periodical Literature, Ref. AI3.R4, 1900 to date. Readers' Guide Retrospective Online (1890-1982) Indexes and abstracts articles in selected popular magazines. Coverage includes book reviews and general discussion of an author or their work(s).
Abstracts of English Studies 1958 to the present Abstracts from 500 journals deal with American and English literature, English language, and world literature in English. Ref. PE25.A16
American Humanities Index 1975 to the present Ref. AI3.A278 Provides author and subject indexing of about 300 creative, critical and scholarly serials in the arts and humanities.
Arts and Humanities Citation Index 1976 to the present, print Ref. AI 3.A77; (online) A multidisciplinary index to literature of the arts and humanities analyzing periodical articles by authors (Source Index), cited authors (Citation Index) and keyword (Permuterm).
Bibliographic Index 1937 to the present Ref. Z1002.B594 Provides author and subject access to bibliographies published separately as books and articles and as parts of books listing 50 or more citations.
Contemporary Authors Contemporary Authors is a comprehensive source of biographical information on over 100,000 modern novelists, playwrights, poets, scriptwriters, non-fiction writers and journalists.
JSTOR (online) Digitized complete full-text backfiles of core scholarly journals across the disciplines.
MLA (Modern Language Association) Bibliography (Online) 1981 to the present MLA is the premier database for literary criticism & analysis, produced by the Modern Language Society. It indexes books, periodical articles, essays, festschriften and dissertations published throughout the world on topics relating to literature, linguistics, and folklore, drama, etc. The print index is also available, 1921 - 1992, Wilson 1E Periodicals PB35.A252
Pooles Index 1802-1906 Ref. AI3.P7 Nineteenth century periodicals indexed alphabetically by subject, author and title.
ProQuest (online) Readers Guide to Periodical Literature, Ref. AI3.R4, 1900 to date.
Readers' Guide Retrospective Online (1890-1982) Indexes and abstracts articles in selected popular magazines. Coverage includes book reviews and general discussion of an author or their work(s).
The following list includes indexes and review sources which dedicate their content to reviews. Book reviews may also be found using the databases listed above - - often you can limit a search to look for the term "review" . For in-depth discussion of locating book reviews at the Western Libraries, refer to the online guide How to Locate Book Reviews. For guides to writing a book review, try Stauffer Library's How to Write a Book Review. Book Review Digest 1905+ Ref. Z 1219.B66 A general book review index but useful for literary research because of its long uninterrupted service. Book Review Index 1965+ Ref. Z 1219.B62 Entries are arranged by author's name in an alphabetical sequence with a title index included in a separate section. Fiction Connection (U.S. publications only) Summary & short reviews, links to additional titles in genre. New York Times Book Review / Online Periodical, Oversize Z 1035.A1 N4 1929 to the present ProQuest (online) ProQuest provides many full-text articles - search by authors' name, or book title. Primarily useful for locating reviews and general discussion. ProQuest allows one to limit by article type, such as "book review", or "film review". TLS (Times Literary Supplement) Periodical, Oversize Z1035.A1 T42 1969 to the present Newspapers Newspapers often offer critical book reviews, some, like the New York Times Book Review, devote an entire section to reviews. Refer to the guides "How to Locate Newspaper Articles", and the "Guide to Using the New York Times Index", for detailed examples and links to resources. New York Times Index and the "New York Times" newspaper from 1851 to the present / Wilson 2W AI2 .N48 ProQuest (online) Indexes and/or provides some newspaper titles in full-text. Indexes the "New York Times Book Review". Journals of Literary Criticism (shelved as periodicals unless noted)African American Review / E185.5.N35 1992- . Online backfile. American Literature; a journal of literary history, criticism and bibliography / PS1.A6 1935-v.11 1940, 1953- . Includes online backfile. Critical Inquiry /NX1.C64 1974- The Critical Quarterly / AP4.C887 1959- The Explicator / PR1.E91 1942- The Literary Review/ Wilson 1E Periodicals AP2 .L6377 v.1, 1957/58-v.39, no.1, 1995 New literary History /PR1.N44 1969- Northwest Review /AP2.N855 1957- The Oxford Literary Review/AP4.O934 1979- Resources for American Literary Study / Z1225.R46 1971- The Threepenny Review / PS1.T573 1995-
The following list includes indexes and review sources which dedicate their content to reviews. Book reviews may also be found using the databases listed above - - often you can limit a search to look for the term "review" . For in-depth discussion of locating book reviews at the Western Libraries, refer to the online guide How to Locate Book Reviews.
For guides to writing a book review, try Stauffer Library's How to Write a Book Review.
Book Review Digest 1905+ Ref. Z 1219.B66 A general book review index but useful for literary research because of its long uninterrupted service.
Book Review Index 1965+ Ref. Z 1219.B62 Entries are arranged by author's name in an alphabetical sequence with a title index included in a separate section.
Fiction Connection (U.S. publications only) Summary & short reviews, links to additional titles in genre.
New York Times Book Review / Online Periodical, Oversize Z 1035.A1 N4 1929 to the present
ProQuest (online) ProQuest provides many full-text articles - search by authors' name, or book title. Primarily useful for locating reviews and general discussion. ProQuest allows one to limit by article type, such as "book review", or "film review".
TLS (Times Literary Supplement) Periodical, Oversize Z1035.A1 T42 1969 to the present
Newspapers Newspapers often offer critical book reviews, some, like the New York Times Book Review, devote an entire section to reviews. Refer to the guides "How to Locate Newspaper Articles", and the "Guide to Using the New York Times Index", for detailed examples and links to resources.
New York Times Index and the "New York Times" newspaper from 1851 to the present / Wilson 2W AI2 .N48 ProQuest (online) Indexes and/or provides some newspaper titles in full-text. Indexes the "New York Times Book Review".
Journals of Literary Criticism (shelved as periodicals unless noted)
African American Review / E185.5.N35 1992- . Online backfile. American Literature; a journal of literary history, criticism and bibliography / PS1.A6 1935-v.11 1940, 1953- . Includes online backfile. Critical Inquiry /NX1.C64 1974- The Critical Quarterly / AP4.C887 1959- The Explicator / PR1.E91 1942- The Literary Review/ Wilson 1E Periodicals AP2 .L6377 v.1, 1957/58-v.39, no.1, 1995 New literary History /PR1.N44 1969- Northwest Review /AP2.N855 1957- The Oxford Literary Review/AP4.O934 1979- Resources for American Literary Study / Z1225.R46 1971- The Threepenny Review / PS1.T573 1995-
Style Guides & Writing About Literature
Quick Guide to MLA Citations A GLossary of Contemporary Literary Theory / Ref. PN44.5.H37 2000 A Short Guide to Writing About Literature/ Writing Center PE 1429.B34 1979 Two Voices: Writing About Literature / E 1417.S94 Voicing Ourselves: whose words we use when we talk about books/ PS 42.K57 1998 Page last modified May 10, 2006 Robyn Adcox WWU Libraries
Quick Guide to MLA Citations A GLossary of Contemporary Literary Theory / Ref. PN44.5.H37 2000 A Short Guide to Writing About Literature/ Writing Center PE 1429.B34 1979 Two Voices: Writing About Literature / E 1417.S94 Voicing Ourselves: whose words we use when we talk about books/ PS 42.K57 1998
Page last modified May 10, 2006 Robyn Adcox WWU Libraries