Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Fiction: From C.S. Lewis to Left Behind

(Hardback)

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Description

A biographical encyclopedia of American and British Christian-themed writers from World War II to the present, covering acclaimed literary works and popular evangelical fiction. Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Fiction: From C.S. Lewis to Left Behind spans the entire breadth of Christian-themed British and American writing from World War II to the presentwell-known and less familiar authors, acclaimed literary novels, and popular writing in a variety of genres (mysteries, thrillers, romances), works that explore matters of faith, works that challenge orthodoxy and church practices, and works wholly written by and for devout evangelicals. Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Fiction offers 90 alphabetically organized entries covering the field's most important writers. Each entry includes a brief biography, religious and educational background, a survey of major works and themes, and a summary of critical response, as well as a bibliography of major works and criticism. By examining evocative, sometimes overlooked Christian elements in modern fiction, and by exploring the depth and scope of popular evangelical fiction, Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Fiction offers the richest, most complete portrait of the role of faith in modern English writing ever published.

Reviews

In selecting Christian fiction titles for a library (church, school, public, seminary) or even a home collection, one recently published (September 2009) tool should definitely be considered. The Encylopedia of Contemporary Christian Fiction: From C.S. Lewis to Left Behind by Nancy M. Tischler fits the bill as a book selection tool. This title is the first of its kind to cover fictional works by both American and British authors, whose novels with Christian themes have been published since World War II to the present. . . . this guide will be an excellent springboard for not only thoughtful discussion and debate, but will give readers a glimpse into why certain authors write what they write and the way they write. * Christian Books Examiner *
Tischler provides fresh and informative guidance to those readers seeking to explore questions of Christianity, religiosity and personal faith in modern novels. Her guide is highly suitable for academic, church and public libraries. * Lawrence Looks at Books *
This book is highly recommended to public and academic libraries with a Christian literature section. * ARBAonline *
. . . a good addition to public library collections and those of university libraries with strong creative-writing programs. * Booklist *
Tischler (emerita English and humanities, Pennsylvania State U.-University Park) offers a quick reference for readers of novels to information on a contemporary Cristian writer's life, faith, works, and influence. She covers the six decades since the end of World War II, a period she characterizes as post-Christian but increasingly evangelical, and selects writers for their world view and set of assumptions, rather than any particular writing style or explicitly Christian themes. They include Margaret Atwood, James Baldwin, Wendell Barry, Dan Brown, Graham Greene, Dean Koontz, Toni Morrison, Flannery O'Connor, Walker Percy, Anne Rice, John Updike, Alice Walker, and Evelyn Waugh. Each entry has a primary bibliography of novels and a secondary bibliography. * Reference & Research Book News *

Author Bio

Nancy M. Tischler, PhD, is professor emerita of English and humanities at Pennsylvania State University.