South Asian Literature in English: An Encyclopedia

(Hardback)

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Description

Hundreds of alphabetically arranged entries discuss topics related to literature written in English by authors either born in South Asia or who identify themselves with that region South Asian writing in English has recently received unprecedented critical and popular attention. The publication of Salman Rushdie's seminal novel Midnight's Children (1981) and the popularity of his later works, Michael Ondaatje's Booker Prize for The English Patient in 1992, and V.S. Naipaul's Nobel Prize in Literature in 2003 are just a few of the highlights that mark the significance of South Asian writing in English. The first reference work of its kind, this encyclopedia covers topics related to literature written in English by authors who were either born in South Asia or who identify themselves with that region. The volume focuses on writers from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Included are several hundred alphabetically arranged entries on novelists, novels, and cinematic adaptations, as well as poets, dramatists, autobiographers, short story writers, theoreticians, critical terms, themes, genres, literary movements, and key historical events. Entries are written by expert contributors and suggest works for further reading. The encyclopedia includes a chronology and closes with a selected, general bibliography of anthologies and critical studies. Given the enormous popularity of South Asian literature in English, this book is essential for all libraries. Offers a readable overview of South Asian literature written in English Entries are written by leading specialists Includes entries for authors, works, and special topics Provides current bibliographical material

Reviews

"[A] very handy tool, even for someone who is not a beginner in the field....The volume, published by the Greenwood Press in a series entitled 'Literature as Windows to World Cultures'. which has recently produced a host of titles on South Asian literatures in English, serves as a timely introduction to these literatures."-Contemporary South Asia
[A] very handy tool, even for someone who is not a beginner in the field....The volume, published by the Greenwood Press in a series entitled 'Literature as Windows to World Cultures'. which has recently produced a host of titles on South Asian literatures in English, serves as a timely introduction to these literatures.-Contemporary South Asia
[R]ecommended for academic and large public libraries.-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
[T]his work should be of value to reference and academic libraries....we welcome this smartly produced book.-Reference Reviews
The book is a valuable resource on literature and literary topics that provide context to important historical events of the region. Also, the review of authors such as Amit Chaudhuri, Kamila Shamsie, Romesh Gunesekera, and others provides a window on the recent imaginative literature that is being written from the subcontinent. This encyclopedia is a resevoir of literary references, for students, academicians, and readers who want to explore the delightful richness of South Asian English literature.-Multicultural Review
[A] veru handy tool, even for someone who is not a beginner in the field....The volume, published by the Greenwood Press in a series entitled 'Literature as Windows to World Cultures'. which has recently produced a host of titles on South Asian literatures in English, serves as a timely introduction to these literatures.- Contemporary South Asia
"A veru handy tool, even for someone who is not a beginner in the field....The volume, published by the Greenwood Press in a series entitled 'Literature as Windows to World Cultures'. which has recently produced a host of titles on South Asian literatures in English, serves as a timely introduction to these literatures."-Contemporary South Asia
"Recommended for academic and large public libraries."-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
"This work should be of value to reference and academic libraries....we welcome this smartly produced book."-Reference Reviews
"[R]ecommended for academic and large public libraries."-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
"[T]his work should be of value to reference and academic libraries....we welcome this smartly produced book."-Reference Reviews
"The book is a valuable resource on literature and literary topics that provide context to important historical events of the region. Also, the review of authors such as Amit Chaudhuri, Kamila Shamsie, Romesh Gunesekera, and others provides a window on the recent imaginative literature that is being written from the subcontinent. This encyclopedia is a resevoir of literary references, for students, academicians, and readers who want to explore the delightful richness of South Asian English literature."-Multicultural Review

Author Bio

JAINA C. SANGA is Adjunct Professor of Cultural Studies at Southern Methodist University and has previously taught at Cleveland State University, Cuyahoga Community College, Georgia State University, and Kennesaw State University.