Masterpieces of American Literature (Masterpieces of ... Series)
Magill here provides brief plot summaries of more than 200 great works of fiction and poetry. Each entry includes basic information, a plot summary, and a critical evaluation. Entries cover the standard classics from Colonial times to the present day, ranging from Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography through The Scarlet Letter and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. In addition to the seminal works, Magill also has some surprising entries, such as Steven King's The Strand , John Updike's "Rabbit" series, John Irving's The World According to Garp , and Tom Wolfe's Bonfire of the Vanities. Magill is the editor of many reference works in literature, including Masterplots I and II (1976, 1986), which his new work resembles in form and content. In fact, many entries in Masterpieces are reprinted with little change from Masterplots. Thus, libraries that already own the latter have most of what is included in the new work. For libraries that do not own either, this is a good, compact source of plot summaries. Not essential, but recommended as supplementary material.- Neal Wyatt, Randolph-Macon Coll., Ashland, Va.Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.