Dictionary Of Scandinavian Literature

Features

Description

A heroic undertaking, this extremely useful encyclopedia covers the literatures of all five Nordic countries as well as Faroese, Inuit, and Sami...is especially valuable in that it brings to light the sophistication and richness of literature in Finland and Iceland...highly recommended. Library Journal The Dictionary of Scandinavian Literature is the only English-language work of its kind.

Unlike literary handbooks that cover a single literature, the dictionary covers the literature of the five Nordic countries from the Icelandic sagas to authors active in the 1980s. In addition to 380 individual entries, the volume includes lengthier essays on topics ranging from Inuit Literature to Scandinavian Studies in North America and Britain.

Many of the topical articles are unique in that no systematic English-language treatment of the topic has previously appeared in print. Each entry concludes with a list of references and, in the case of author entries, a list of the author's works in the original as well as in English translation. For use in public libraries, small college libraries, as well as larger research libraries, the Dictionary of Scandinavian Literature is a reference tool for the nonspecialist and specialist alike.

The bibliographies appended to every article will be of value to students looking for up-to-date secondary literature on an author or a topic, and the listings of English translations should be useful to instructors who teach courses of Scandinavian Literature in English Translation. Review: ?A heroic undertaking, this extremely useful encyclopedia covers the literatures of all five Nordic countries as well as Faroese, Inuit, and Sami.

It has 380 author entries and many superb topical articles, e.g., essays on old Norse poetry, library resources, literary journals, theater, etc. The entries have primary and secondary bibliographies (with preference to English sources) and list English translations. The book concludes with a chronology, a bibliography by country, and the names of the 115 contributors.

The selection principles are sound and the well-written entries display fine scholarship, particularly the longer overview articles. No similar reference tool exists in English, and this one is especially valuable in that it brings to light the sophistication and richness of literature in Finland and Iceland...highly recommended.?-Library Journal