The Encyclopedia of the Novel

“It is an invaluable work for students and researchers. It will enable undergraduates to gain an understanding of the theoretical and philosophical issues that underpin their studies, and researchers will be able to examine aspects of their chosen interest in depth, within the context of a worldview.”  (Reference Reviews, 2011)

"Edited by Logan (Temple Univ.), a renowned English professor, The Encyclopedia of the Novel is a quality reference tool depicting the novel as a literary genre . . . This is a solid resource for anyone interested in literature and the novel's history and influence. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers. " (Choice, July 2011)

"Part of Blackwell Reference Online, the Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopedia of Literature is a database with content from several new stand-alone scholarly literature reference sets. Together, they provide almost 1,000 entries on the history, terminology, genres, and theory of the novel; major writers, works, movements, and genres of twentieth-century British, American, and world fiction; and terms and concepts related to post-1900 literary and cultural theory. The database would be a good investment for libraries that want to acquire the content." (Booklist, 2011)

"These three stand-alone titles work well together; overlapping entries complement rather than duplicate each other. Four planned but as yet unpublished titles in this seven-title series are The Encyclopedia of English Renaissance Literature, The Encyclopedia of Romantic Literature, The Encyclopedia of the Gothic, and The Encyclopedia of Postcolonial Studies. It would be nice to see a single cumulative or series index tying all seven together to create the most efficient access method for the serious researcher. Part of the larger series, these first three titles can be purchased separately or all together ... Based on the premise that literature mirrors life, which mirrors the surrounding society and culture, this unique work employs 320 signed articles written by 223 academic contributors at various Anglo-American institutions to connect literature and sociology. Organized in dictionary format within time period and type of theory (social or literary), articles range from two and three-quarters pages ("Abrams, M.H.") to 11½ pages ("Narrative Theory"). Each entry includes a bibliography. Volumes 1 and 2 cover literary theories between 1900 and 1966 and from 1966 to the present day. Cultural theories appear in Volume 3. See also references incorporating entries in all three volumes, cross-references within the text, and a detailed index ensure easy research access. Overall, the volume editors provide good coverage ... General editor Ryan has authored several books, including Literary Theory: A Practical Introduction. BOTTOM LINE: An excellent resource for those attempting to tie literature to the society surrounding it. Recommended for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in literature, writing, sociology, and anthropology."
(Laurie Selwyn, formerly with Grayson Cty. Law Lib., Sherman, TX - of the 3-volume Encyclopedia of the Novel)