Facts on File Companion to the American Short Story

by Werlock, Abby H. P.; Facts on File, Inc.; Werlock, James P.

• ISBN13: 9780816031641
• ISBN10: 0816031649
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-03-01
• Publisher: Facts on File

Summary

"A handy volume that presents an immediate introduction to American short fiction from the 19th century to the 1990s, the 675 alphabetically arranged entries consist of author biographies, literary terms, theories, themes, well-known characters, influential events, and summaries of major stories. Entries are definitive and written in a clear style."--"Outstanding Reference Sources," American Libraries, May 2001.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	v
Introduction	vii
A-to-Z Entries	1	(529)
Appendixes
I. Winners of Selected Short Story Prizes	463	(49)
II. Suggested Readings by Theme and Topic	512	(15)
III. Selected Bibliography	527	(3)
List of Contributors	530	(1)
Index	531

Excerpts

Since the first American short story was published in 1799, interest in the genre has continued to grow. Sales of collections have risen over the years, short story readings proliferate in bookstores, and these works have been increasingly incorporated within college courses. The Facts On File Companion to the American Short Story is an encyclopedic resource to all aspects of this literary art form.
Engaging and jargon-free, with contributions from a team of scholars, The Facts On File Companion to the American Short Story is the only reference book that analyzes the genre as a whole. With more than 675 entries in A-to-Z format, it provides explanations of major critical controversies and ways to broaden the reader's interpretation of a short story. Scholars and students of various levels will find it invaluable; its bibliographies and cross references will expand further research possibilities; its definitions of literary terms contribute to more informed reading.
Topic coverage includes:
Author biographies and bibliographies
Synopses and analyses of major stories
Well-known characters
Literary terms, themes, and motifs
Historical events that have influenced short story writers
Winners of prestigious short story prizes and awards
and more.
An informative introduction surveys the history of the short story in the United States, interprets the current literary landscape, and points to new and future trends.