The Cambridge Companion to Canadian Literature

This book offers a comprehensive and lively introduction to major writers, genres and topics in Canadian literature. Addressing traditional assumptions and current issues, contributors pay attention to the social, political and economic developments that have informed literary events. Broad surveys of fiction, drama, and poetry are complemented by chapters on Aboriginal writing, autobiography, literary criticism, writing by women, and the emergence of urban writing in a country historically defined by its regions. Also discussed are genres that have a special place in Canadian literature, such as nature-writing, exploration and travel-writing, and short fiction. Athough the emphasis is on literature in English, a substantial chapter on francophone writing is included.

• Provides a comprehensive and succinct introduction to representative topics in Canadian literature • Includes chapters on Aboriginal writing and francophone literature • Addresses both traditional assumptions and current issues

Introduction Eva-Marie Kröller; 1. Aboriginal writing Penny van Toorn; 2. Francophone writing Edward D. Blodgett; 3. Exploration and travel Eva-Marie Kröller; 4. Nature-writing Christoph Irmscher; 5. Drama Ric Knowles; 6. Poetry David Staines; 7. Fiction Marta Dvorak; 8. Short fiction Robert Thacker; 9. Writing by women Coral Ann Howells; 10. Life writing Susanna Egan and Gabriele Helms; 11. Regionalism and urbanism Janice Fiamengo; 12. Canadian literary criticism and the idea of a national literature Magdalene Redekop.

\'… insightful and enlightening …\' Reference Reviews

\'The volume owes its high quality to the editor and to the contributors from Canada, the United States, Great Britain, Australia and France whose long-time engagement with Canadian studies has made them outstanding experts in the field.\' Anglia