Literary Criticism: Novels
Research Guide

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Books and Multimedia

http://library.ucf.edu

Use the online catalog to locate books and multimedia on short stories in the UCF Libraries. You can search by author, title, keyword, or subject.

• To search for a person, as AUTHOR or SUBJECT, search by last name, first name without punctuation; for example:
  • Byatt A S
  • Hemingway Ernest
  • Morrison Toni
• SUBJECT searching requires use of Library of Congress subject headings. Here are some example subject headings:
  • [Country name or region in adjectival form] fiction
  • Examples:
  • American fiction
  • English fiction
  • Israeli fiction
  • Latin American fiction
  • American literature--History and criticism
  • Characters and characteristics in literature
  • English literature--History and criticism
  • Fiction--History and criticism
• If you are unsure of the exact title or unsure of the correct Library of Congress subject heading, try a KEYWORD search using two or three of the most significant words from the title or subject you are trying to find.
• To limit by FORMAT in order to find multimedia and scores, go to the Advanced Search in the Library Catalog and use the Limit Search By option.

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Databases, Indexes, and Bibliographies

Use the following sources to find periodical articles about a particular literary work, movement, or author. In some instances books or essays in books also may be found in these sources.

The American Novel: A Checklist of Twentieth Century Criticism

Reference PS 371 .G47

Book and periodicals sources of criticism for single authors, as well as general studies (criticism of the American novel by period), published between 1900 and 1968. Author entries include citations of general criticisms and bibliographies.

Annual Bibliography of English Language and Literature

Microfiche PE 71 .M6 (1920-53)
Reference PE 71 .M6 (1964-90, 1992+)

An index of American and English literary studies, including periodical articles, books, and pamphlets, with references to reviews of books listed. Especially useful for locating British scholarship on literatures in English.

The Contemporary Novel: A Checklist of Critical Literature on the British and American Novel Since 1945

Reference PN 94 .A3 1997

A selective bibliography of critical literature on contemporary British and American novels from scholarly journals and books. Novelists are included if they wrote "significant" works after 1945. Arranged alphabetically by author's name, then novel title.

The Continental Novel: A Checklist of Criticism in English, 1900-1966

Reference PN 3451 .F56

The Continental Novel: A Checklist of Criticism in English, 1967-1980

Reference PN 3451 .F57

An index to English-language criticism of the European novel appearing from 1900. Novels are divided by language: French, Spanish and Portuguese, Italian, German, Scandinavian, Russian and East European.

The English Novel, 1578-1956: A Checklist of Twentieth-Century Criticisms

Reference PR 821 .B43

An extremely selective list of criticism in books and periodicals published from 1900 to 1957, with entries arranged alphabetically by novelist and then by by novel.

English Novel Explication: Criticisms to 1972

Reference PR 824 .P3 + four supplements

Listing of criticism from 1958 through the late 1980s in books and periodicals in both English and non-English languages, arranged alphabetically by author.

Essay and General Literature Index

Online version (1985+)
Index AI 3 .E752 (1900+)

Index to collections of essays in books, with emphasis on the humanities (especially literary criticism). In the print edition, arrangement is by authors, subjects, and some titles in one alphabet, with full titles of books indexed listed in the back of each volume.

Humanities Full Text (1984+)

An electronic database of citations to articles appearing in more than 400 English-language periodicals dealing with the humanities: folklore, history, language, literature, music, philosophy, religion, and classical studies. Preceded by the print index Humanities Index (1974+).

Humanities Index

Index AI 3 .R493 (1974+)

Lists by subject and author articles from approximately 350 English-language journals covering such subjects as folklore, history, language, literature, music, philosophy, religion, and classical studies. Continued by the electronic database Humanities Full Text (1984+).

Literature Resource Center

Provides biographies, bibliographies, and critical analyses of more than 120,000 authors from every age and literary discipline. Contains the Scribner Writer's Series which includes 15-20 page signed essays on more than 1,600 authors and literary genres drawn from 13 acclaimed Scribner print series; and the Twayne World, US, and English Authors series, each of which contains the full text of 200 frequently used Twayne Literary Masters books on individual world, US, or English authors, for a total of 600 full-text titles.

MLA International Bibliography

Online version (1963+)
Index PB 6 M6222 (1970+)
General Collection PB 6 M6 (1921-69, bound with PMLA)

Both a print index and an electronic database referred to variously as the MLA or MLAIB; sometimes called the PMLA Bibliography, but it should not be confused with the journal PMLA. In the print version Part 1 is arranged first geographically (e.g., American literature), then chronologically by century (e.g., 1900-1999) with authors listed alphabetically; Part 2, commencing in 1981, is a subject index to Part 1.

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Plot Summaries and Critical Excerpts

The following sources provide synopses of poems, or contain excerpts of critical essays that were previously published.

Contemporary Literary Criticism (CLC): Excerpts from Criticism of the Works of Today's Novelists, Poets, Playwrights, Short Story Writers, Scriptwriters, & Other Creative Writers

Reference PN 771 .C59

Each print volume in this long-standing series profiles approximately six to eight novelists, poets, playwrights and other creative and nonfiction writers by providing full-text or excerpted criticism taken from books, magazines, literary reviews, newspapers and scholarly journals. The approximately 200 essays per volume are prefaced by a full citation and annotation and most entries include an author portrait. Each volume includes cumulative author name, topic, and nationality indexes, as well as a volume-specific title index. A cumulative title index to the entire series is available separately. Available online in the Literature Resource Center database.

Literature Criticism from 1400 to 1800 : Excerpts from Criticism of the Works of Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Seventeenth, and Eighteenth- Century Novelists, Poets, Playwrights, Philosophers, and Other Creative Writers, from the First Published Critical Appraisals to Current Evaluations

Reference PN 86 .L53

Covers the careers and works of writers of the late Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the Restoration eras. Entries offer interpretations of historical periods, literary trends and topics, and the achievements of noteworthy individuals. Each volume includes cumulative author name, topic, nationality, and title indexes; a cumulative title index to the entire series is published separately.

MagillOnLiterature

A full-text database that includes brief plot summaries of the most studied works in the history of literature. This database includes articles from the following print sources: Masterplots, Masterplots II, Cyclopedia of World Authors, Cyclopedia of Literary Characters, Magill's Literary Annual 1990-2001, Magill's Guide to Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature, and Magill Book Reviews.

Masterplots: 1,801 Plot Stories and Critical Evaluations of the World's Finest Literature

Reference PN 44 .M33 1996

Briefly examines the theme, style, and technique of 793 novels and 121 novellas. All essays contain an annotated bibliography of critical studies of the literary work. The essays in this set are available online in the MagillOnLiterature database.

Masterplots II: World Fiction Series

Reference PN 3326 .M28 1987

Examines the themes, characters, plots, style, and technique of 347 works by authors from the non-English speaking countries of the world, including Poland, France, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Germany, and Russia.

Nineteenth-Century Literature Criticism (NCLC): Excerpts from Criticism of the Works of Nineteenth-Century Novelists, Poets, Playwrights, Short-Story Writers, & Other Creative Writers

Reference PN 761 .N5

Presents substantial excerpts of criticism on poets, novelists, short story writers, dramatists and philosophers who died between 1800 and 1899. Each volume presents overviews of four to eight authors with chronologically arranged criticism representing the entire range of response to each author. Entries typically include an author portrait, an introduction to the author, a primary bibliography, annotated criticism and an annotated list of further reading sources. Every fourth volume is a "Topics" volume covering major literary movements, trends and other topics related to nineteenth-century literature. Volumes include author, nationality, topic and title indexes; a cumulative title index to the entire series is published separately. Available online in the Literature Resource Center database.

Twentieth-Century Literary Criticism (TCLC): Excerpts from Criticism of the Works of Novelists, Poets, Playwrights, Short Story Writers, & Other Creative Writers Who Died Between 1900 & 1999

Reference PN 94 .T83

Presents substantial excerpts of criticism on major literary figures and nonfiction writers, including novelists, poets, playwrights and literary theorists, who died between 1900 to 1999. Each volume presents overviews of four to eight authors with chronologically arranged criticism representing the entire range of response to each author. A typical excerpt is prefaced by an annotation that explains the critic's reputation and critical philosophy and providing a synopsis of the excerpt. Every fourth volume is a "Topics" volume covering major literary movements, trends and other topics. Volumes include author, nationality, topic and title indexes; a cumulative title index to the entire series is published separately. Available online in the Literature Resource Center database.

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Biographical and Bio-Critical Information

There are many sources of biographical and bio-critical information for poets; the titles listed below are but a sampling of the basic sources usually consulted. In addition, the sources listed under the headings "Plot Summaries and Critical Excerpts" and "Handbooks and Dictionaries" may provide biographical information about a writer. The following sources are also beneficial in gaining a good overview of a poet's basic themes, techniques, and motifs.

American Writers: A Collection of Literary Biographies

Reference PS 129 .A55

Provides information about the lives, careers, and works of major American writers. Each essay in the multi-volume set is approximately 20 pages. The heart of each essay is a critical evaluation and analysis of the writer's major works, followed by a selective bibliography both of the author's works and books and articles about the works. Each of the essays in the print edition is available online in the Literature Resource Center database.

Biography Resource Center

Contains biographical information on over one million individuals from all time periods, geographical locations, and fields of endeavor. The "Biographical Facts Search" allows searching for people based on one or more personal facts, such as occupation.

British Writers

Reference PR 85 .B688

Provides information about the lives, careers, and works of major British writers from the fourteenth century to the present day in chronological order by birth date. The essays are evaluative surveys of authors' writings, with a selected bibliography of the authors' works and criticism about the works. Each of the essays in the print edition is available online in the Literature Resource Center database.

Contemporary Authors: A Bio-Bibliographical Guide to Current Writers in Fiction, General Nonfiction, Poetry, Journalism, Drama, Motion Pictures, Television

Reference PN 771 .C662

A multi-volume series that contains biographical information on approximately 112,000 modern novelists, poets, playwrights, nonfiction writers, journalists and scriptwriters. Sketches typically include personal information, addresses, career history, writings, work in progress, biographical/critical sources and authors' comments and/or informative essays about their lives and work. Each of the sketches in the print edition is available online in the Biography Resource Center database.

Contemporary Novelists

Reference PR 881 .C69 2001

A dictionary of about 700 English-language fiction writers. Each entry features a brief biographical sketch, a list of the writer's works, and a critical essay. Some articles include personal comments by the writer.

Critical Survey of Long Fiction

Reference PN 3451 .C75 2000

Covering 463 world authors and 53 major areas of study, this eight-volume set updates the previous editions from which it is partially drawn: the Critical Survey of Long Fiction: English Language Series and the Critical Survey of Long Fiction: Foreign Language Series (below).

Critical Survey of Long Fiction: English Language Series

Reference PR 821 .C7 1991

A comprehensive overview of English language poets, their works, and the long fiction genre in general. Lengthy analyses of each writer's works are followed by lists of other works and bibliographies.

Critical Survey of Long Fiction: Foreign Language Series

Reference PN 3451 .C75 1984

Selective coverage of novelists writing in languages other than English, with biographical information and a comprehensive overview of the writer's works. Lengthy analyses of each writer's works are followed by lists of other works and bibliographies.

Dictionary of Literary Biography (DLB)

Reference PS 21 .D5

Includes the full text of biographical essays which provide an extended study of an author's life and work. Each essay includes primary and secondary bibliographies for further study. Each of the essays in the print volumes is available online in the Literature Resource Center database.

European Writers

Reference PN 501 .E9 1983

Provides information about the lives, careers, and works of major European writers from the medieval times to the present day in chronological order by birth date. Use index volume to locate author/specific work. Essays from the print edition is available online in the Literature Resource Center database.

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Handbooks and Dictionaries

The handbooks and dictionaries listed below provide assistance in defining and using appropriate literary terms and concepts and in identifying intellectual trends and movements.

Benet's Reader's Encyclopedia

Reference PN 41 .B4 1996

A comprehensive work containing brief articles on literary schools and movements, critical terms and expressions, as well as literary allusions, plot summaries, and brief biographies of authors.

Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable

http://www.bartleby.com/81/
Reference PN 43 .B65 1999

Gives the derivation, source, or origin of allusions, colloquial and proverbial phrases, biographical references, fictitious characters and titles, and words that have a tale to tell.

Cyclopedia of Literary Characters

Reference PN 44 .M3 1998

Lists more than 29,000 major characters from 3,294 important works of literature. It includes the major characters from over 1,400 titles appearing in Masterplots: 1,801 Plot Stories and Critical Evaluations of the World's Finest Literature (above). The entries in this set are available online in the MagillOnLiterature database.

Dictionary of American Literary Characters

Reference PS 374 .C43 D5 2002

Contains more than 16,000 entries, identifying the novel in which the character appears and summarizing the character's role and relationship to other characters in the novel. Includes title and author indexes.

Dictionary of British Literary Characters: 18th- and 19th-Century Novels

Reference PR 830 .C47 D5 1993

Dictionary of British Literary Characters: 20th-Century Novels

Reference PR 888 .C47 D53 1994

Identifies the novel in which the character appears and summarizes the character's role and relationship to other characters in the novel. Includes title and author indexes.

A Dictionary of Modern Critical Terms

Reference PN 41 .D4794 1987

Distinguished from traditional dictionaries of literary terms in its attempt to deal with the application and usage of critical terms rather than simply provide literal lexical meanings.

Dictionary of Real People and Places in Fiction

Reference PN 56.4 .R56 1993

Attempts to provide "insight into the influences upon over 300 authors by revealing the real identity of 'fictional' people and places in American and British novels published in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries" (publisher's note). Contains several thousand identifications based on published statements in sources as varied as diaries, collected letters, journals, biographies and autobiographies, and newspapers. Author, real name, and fictional indexes.

Encyclopedia of the Novel

Reference PN 41 .E487 1998

While the majority of entries in this two-volume set deal with individual writers, it is helpful nonetheless for its extended treatment of general topics and specific types of long fiction, such as the adventure novel, Roman a clef, the Jewish-American novel, and realism. Also has lengthy surveys of the novel in various countries and regions.

A Handbook to Literature

Reference PN 41 .H36 1992

A standard source of comparatively brief explanations of the words and phrases which are peculiar to the study of English and American literature. The emphasis is on critical terms and critical schools and movements. Contains an outline of English and American literary history. Index of proper names.

The Oxford Companion to American Literature

Reference PS 21 .H3 1995

Contains more than 5,000 entries on authors and other persons, literary works, terms, characters, movements, awards, organizations, historical and cultural events, and a long list of other topics related to American literature.

The Oxford Companion to English Literature

Reference PR 19 .D73 1998

Entries on authors born before 1940, works, characters, movements, critical theories, periods, groups, historical figures, terminology, literary allusions, and places related to English literature.

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Internet Sources

The following selected Internet "meta-sites" provide useful information in the field of literary studies.

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Style Manuals

The style manuals listed below offer assistance with the mechanics of paper presentation, such as preparing bibliographies, footnoting, underlining, and using quotation marks.

MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 5th ed.

Reference Desk LB 2369 .G53 1999

A standard guide to research, writing, and the mechanics of paper presentation in literary studies, including some examples for citing electronic publications (Internet sites, electronic journals, online books, etc.). See also the MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing (Reference PN 147 .G444 1998).

MLA Style

http://www.mla.org

Contents include a link to "Documenting Sources on the World Wide Web." Several examples are provided.

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Ask a Librarian

If you have questions or need additional assistance, Ask a Librarian, call the Reference Department at (407) 823-2562, or e-mail the Department at askalibrarian@mail.ucf.edu. The library liaison for English and Foreign Languages and Literatures is Cheryl A. Mahan, University Librarian, cmahan@mail.ucf.edu.

Last Updated: July 19, 2010

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