Irish Women Writers: An A-to-Z Guide

(Hardback)

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Description

Irish women writers have a large following, and their works are attracting large amounts of scholarly and critical attention. Through roughly 75 alphabetically arranged entries written by more than 35 expert contributors, this reference overviews the lives and works of Irish women writers active in a range of genres and periods. Each entry includes a brief biography, a discussion of major works and themes, a survey of the writer's critical reception, and a list of works by and about the author. The volume closes with a selected, general bibliography. Ireland has an especially lively literary tradition, and works by Irish writers have long been recognized as interesting and influential. While male writers have received the bulk of the critical attention given to Irish literature, contemporary women writers are among the most widely read Irish authors. This reference overviews the lives and works of Irish women writers active in a range of periods and genres. Included are roughly 75 alphabetically arranged entries written by more than 35 expert contributors. Among the writers discussed are: ; Elizabeth Bowen ; Mary Dorcey ; Lady Isabella Augusta Gregory ; Anne Hartigan ; Norah Hoult ; Paula Meehan ; Iris Murdoch ; Edna O'Brien ; Katharine Tynan ; Sheila Wingfield ; And many more. Each entry includes a brief biography, a discussion of major works and themes, a review of the writer's critical reception, and a list of works by and about the writer. The volume closes with a selected, general bibliography.

Reviews

Recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates; general readers. * Choice *
[A] welcome and well-written addition to the growing body of reference works on Irish literature. * Reference Reviews *
As a guide for reading and research or as a tool for collection development, this informative guide will be welcome in both public and academic libraries. * Lawrence Looks at Books *
[T]he volume is a very good starting reference for anyone wishing to get a general sense of the body of work available by some of the most well-known Irish women authors.The reader is treated to an introduction of some of the best poets, fiction writers, and political commentators Ireland has to offer.[a] valuable addition to any library. * Feminist Collections *
Ireland's remarkable and long literary tradition receives a fine A-Z encyclopedic reference.Especially recommended as a strong college-level reference pick. * Library Bookwatch *
The introduction states that Women have long had such a shadowy half-life on the Irish map and in the Irish literacy anthology and that they are no more recognized than their sisters in other countries. This volume is a start to correcting this situation with its overviews of the lives and works of 75 Irish writers, including one of this reviewers favorites: Mauve Binchy. The signed entries give the birth and death dates of the authors. The essays, some as short as two pages and other as long as eight, provide a brief biography, a discussion of major works and themes, critical reception, and end with a list of works by the author and information written about her. A six-page selected bibliography provides additional resources. While this is a very specialized collective biography, it will be useful in English literature classes and perhaps in womens studies. * Gale Reference For Students *
Because of its in-depth discussions of major themes in each writer's work, and because many of the women who are treated are not included in other reference works available in the U.S., ^IIrish Women Writers^R is strongly recommended for all college and large public libraries with sizable literature collections. * Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin *
[T]he likes of Elizabeth Bowan, Anne Hartigan, Paula Meehan, Iris Murdock, and Katherine Tynan are described, their works are analyzed, and their place within Irish literature is evaluated. Entries include a brief biography followed by information on major works and themes and critical reactions, and a comprehensive list of books, drama and other works in Irish and in English, translations, and studies of the author. Although intended as a reference, the entries are so accessible the volume could also serve as general reading or an introduction to the lives and works of Irish women writers. * Reference & Research Book News *

Author Bio

Alexander G. Gonzalez is Professor of English at the State University of New York College at Cortland. His many books include Assessing the Achievement of J.M. Synge (1996), Modern Irish Writers: A Bio-Critical Sourcebook (1997), and Contemporary Irish Women Poets: Some Male Perspectives (1999), all available from Greenwood Press.