The New York Public Library Literature Companion

by Staff Of The New York Public Library, Anne Skillion (Editor)

Compiles information about English-language literature from around the world, discussing authors, works of literature, recommended reading, censorship, literary characters, and a chronology of world literature.

Genres: Reference, Books About Books, Nonfiction, Literature, Literary Criticism

784 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Next to the dictionary and the atlas, this one is on my short list of "favorites of all time." Come to think of it, goodreads.com is almost an online version of this volume, because it inspires you to poke around and learn about books and authors you may want to try someday.

I like the special interest sections, such as the best opening lines--my favorite is Zora Neale Hurston's from Their Eyes Were Watching God, "Ships at a distance have every man's wish on board." Brilliant. Another interesting section is favorite authors, for instance, did you know that Chinua Achebe likes Yeats? There are lists and list of books--award winners, books most frequently banned, best adaptations. This is a fun "pick-er-up-er and put-er-down-er" for the nightstand.

[Beth Windle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think of this as the high school yearbook for literature... It's organized that way, too.

It's basically a reference book, but as reference books go, it's pretty readable.

I can see it coming in handy in the future.

[Risa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The New York Public Library Literature Companion by Staff of The New York Public Library (2001)