The Bloomsbury Handbook of Electronic Literature - Authoritative

In this review of The Bloomsbury Handbook of Electronic Literature, the bottom line is clear: this is the first comprehensive reference for anyone studying or creating literature that uses digital media. Edited by Joseph Tabbi and gathering leading scholars and artists, the handbook maps foundational theory, contemporary artistic practice, and contested topics such as canonicity and narrative in digital environments. Readers seeking an informed, scholarly overview of the field will find the book invaluable; those looking for step-by-step creative tutorials or a beginner's quick primer on coding-based tools should look elsewhere.

Key Features

• Comprehensive scope: Brings together international scholars and artists to cover the historical development and current state of electronic literature.
• Theoretical depth: Explores foundational theories around narrative, canonicity, and the intersections of literature and new media for advanced study.
• Interdisciplinary perspective: Crosses boundaries between literary criticism, media studies, and digital humanities to situate works in broader cultural contexts.
• Varied practices: Surveys artistic forms from hyperfiction to multimedia poetry and narrative-driven games, giving readers a sense of the field's diversity.
• Critical debates: Addresses controversies and methodological challenges, useful for researchers preparing essays, syllabi, or conference work.

Who It's For

The handbook is aimed at graduate students, researchers, and instructors in literature, media studies, and the digital humanities who need a reliable, scholarly synthesis of electronic literature as a field. It is especially useful for readers preparing course reading lists or literature reviews and for artists interested in how critical frameworks treat their work.

It is less suitable for casual readers seeking light introductions or for creators looking for practical how-to guides on building interactive works; the emphasis is intellectual and historical rather than tutorial or technical.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Authoritative compilation of leading voices offers a thorough overview for academic research.
• Balanced coverage of theory and artistic practice helps bridge criticism and creation.
• Addresses both historical developments and current debates, making it useful for syllabus design.

Cons

• The emphasis on scholarly essays means it is not a practical manual for hands-on digital creation.

Specifications

Title	The Bloomsbury Handbook of Electronic Literature
Editor	Joseph Tabbi
Publisher Series	Bloomsbury Handbooks
Awards	Winner of the 2017 N. Katherine Hayles Award for Criticism of Electronic Literature
Recognition	CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title 2018
Focus Areas	Hyperfiction, multimedia poetry, narrative-driven games, digital humanities

Our Verdict

The Bloomsbury Handbook of Electronic Literature is the go-to scholarly reference for anyone serious about the study or teaching of digital literary forms; its breadth and critical rigor make it good value for academics and advanced students, even though it is not a substitute for practical creation guides.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book suitable for classroom use?
Yes, its comprehensive coverage and scholarly essays make it well suited for graduate seminars and upper-level undergraduate courses.

Does the handbook include practical tutorials on making electronic literature?
No, the emphasis is on theory, history, and criticism rather than step-by-step creation or coding instruction.

Who edited the volume?
The handbook is edited by Joseph Tabbi and gathers contributions from international scholars and artists.