The Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms

by Ross C. Murfin and Supryia M. Ray

Book Overview

Engaging, authoritative, and affordably priced, The Bedford Glossary is a comprehensive reference that clearly and accessibly defines hundreds of important literary and critical terms from classical times to the present, making them real and relevant to twenty-first century students through examples uniquely drawn from contemporary literary and popular culture.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312461887
• ISBN13: 9780312461881
• Release Date: November 2008
• Publisher: Bedford Books
• Length: 624 Pages
• Weight: 1.53 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Incredibly handy

I bought this book to help me with a school project that involved identifying about fifty different literary devices in a novel. It offered thorough definitions and examples of everything I needed. I will cherish it as an English major.

in·dis·pens·a·ble!

This book is a must for grad students and advanced undergrads interested in literary studies -- I highly recommend it! It's better priced than other comparable books & better written.

Offers far more depth than its title suggests

Yes, this is an excellent glossary of terms. It is also much more. Within these 420 pages, the authors have taken time and space to explore in depth the significance of varied approaches to literary analysis and scholarship.The confusing and politicized nature of 20th Century literary criticism is served well in Murphin & Ray's clear and even-handed explication of various schools and styles. I think that new initiates to literary studies will appreciate the lengthy analyses given to critical schools/styles ( from aestheticism and close reading... to new historicism and 'theory' ). I find that this humbly titled "glossary" offers clearer and fairer insights into of these stormy academic seas that most books claiming "Intro to Criticism" in their titles.This is a great reference volume for literature students. My only disappointment was the lack of references, and of suggestions for reading in more depth (other than in-passing mention of authors' names and occasional book titles), but that of course would have taken this volume further beyond the class of mere "glossary". Still, in summary: indispensable - unsurpassed!

comprehensive and lucid

This glossary is one of the best I have seen, combining both exhaustive and detailed enteries as well as a wide range of coverage. Literary periods from Old English to the Postmodern are discussed in detail - the article on postmodernism is almost six pages. Critical approaches such as structralism and postcolonialism are lucidly presented. Literary trends and tropes are explained with illustrative examples. Crossrefrencing is particularly very useful. All this makes this glossary a good study aid for both literary students and scholars.