{"product_id":"a-readers-companion-to-the-short-story-in-english-concise-guide","title":"A Reader's Companion to the Short Story in English - Concise Guide","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of A Reader's Companion to the Short Story in English the bottom line is simple: this volume is most valuable to students, instructors, and serious readers seeking clear, scholarly introductions to fifty contemporary English-language short story writers. The book's single biggest reason to buy is its dependable combination of biographical context, critical survey, and focused analysis for each author, all arranged alphabetically for quick reference. Its editorial approach makes it a practical classroom supplement and a useful research starting point rather than a comprehensive critical encyclopedia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAlphabetical entries:\u003c\/strong\u003e The fifty writers are organized for easy lookup, saving time when tracking down a specific author or comparing several at once.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExpert contributors:\u003c\/strong\u003e Each entry is written by a specialist, providing reliable biographical detail and informed readings of works.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBalanced criticism:\u003c\/strong\u003e Entries include a review of existing criticism that helps readers situate debates and major critical approaches.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocused analysis of works:\u003c\/strong\u003e The volume offers lengthier analyses of selected stories or collections, aiding close reading and classroom discussion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSelected bibliography:\u003c\/strong\u003e Each entry concludes with primary and secondary sources, making further research straightforward.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIntroductory and theoretical apparatus:\u003c\/strong\u003e A substantive introduction to the short story genre and an annotated bibliography on theory frame the volume for context and study.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis companion is aimed at undergraduates, graduate students, and instructors in literature courses who need concise, authoritative overviews of contemporary short story writers in English. It is also well suited to independent readers assembling reading lists or seeking entry points into an author's work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose looking for exhaustive primary-text anthologies, full-length monographs on individual writers, or a comprehensive global survey of older historical forms may want a different resource; this book emphasizes useful, compact critical entries rather than exhaustive archival detail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConcise, reliable biographies and criticism make classroom prep and research more efficient.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnnotated bibliographies and selected primary sources direct readers to useful further reading.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe introductory essay and annotated theory bibliography provide helpful framing for the study of the short story.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCoverage is limited to fifty writers and focuses mainly on authors active since 1960, so it is not exhaustive of the genre's full history.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA Reader's Companion to the Short Story in English\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScope\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFifty English-language short story writers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEntry content\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBiography, criticism review, analysis, selected bibliography\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eChronological focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMost writers active since 1960\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSupplementary material\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntroduction to genre; annotated bibliography of short story theory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eArrangement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAlphabetical entries\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Reader's Companion to the Short Story in English is a compact, well-edited reference that suits students, instructors, and committed readers who need clear, authoritative overviews and entry points into contemporary short story writers. Its value lies in usable criticism, solid bibliographies, and a helpful theoretical frame that make it a cost-effective addition to course reading lists and personal reference shelves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this volume include analysis of primary works?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe entries include lengthier analyses of selected stories or collections alongside bibliographic direction to primary texts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the book suitable for classroom use?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes; the concise entries, bibliographies, and introductory theory section make it appropriate as a classroom supplement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it cover historical short story traditions before 1960?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe focus is mainly on writers active since 1960, so earlier historical forms are not the book's primary emphasis.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Erin Fallon, R.C. Feddersen, James Kurtzleben, Maurice A. Lee, Susan Rochette-Crawley","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48619053875419,"sku":"1579583539","price":217.76,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/514nBeXiiWL._SL1360.jpg?v=1778514513","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/a-readers-companion-to-the-short-story-in-english-concise-guide","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}