Literary criticism books pdf. Literature reading guides. Free online books for analyzing world literature and getting recommendations.
Also works from other countries in foreign languages and translated. Bibliographies too.
Table of contents
Book Collections on Literary Criticism and Analysis
Literature – History, Literary Criticism Collection
About 5,700 free online books at the Internet Archive, resulting from a search for books on “Literature – History and Criticism”.
Literary Studies – General Collection
About 320 modern literary criticism books at the Internet Archive.
Harold Bloom’s Literary Guides – Collection
The 700 books authored or edited by Harold Bloom in this section were published by Chelsea House in several series, including: Bloom’s Modern Critical Views, Modern Critical Interpretations, Bloom’s Guides, Bloom’s Reviews, Bloom’s BioCritiques, Bloom’s Major Literary Characters, Bloom’s Period Studies, Bloom’s Major Poets, Bloom’s Major Short Story Writers, Critical Cosmos, and probably more. Most of the books are about a particular literary work or a particular author.
Search for a Book in the Bloom Collection –
At this link you can replace the capitalized word “SUBJECT” in the search bar with the last name of an author, a book title, or a major literary subject like “poetry”. Use quotation marks.
Literature and Society Collection
About 1,200 modern literary criticism books at the Internet Archive, resulting from a search for books on “Literature and Society”. All types of literature.
American Literature – History, Literary Criticism Collection
About 1,000 modern literary criticism books at the Internet Archive, resulting from a search for books on “American Literature – History and Criticism”.
American Literature – 20th Century – History, Literary Criticism Collection
About 670 books from the Internet Archive free online on the subject of American Literature – 20th Century – History and Criticism.
American Literature 19th Century History, Literary Criticism Collection
About 300 books from the Internet Archive free online on the subject of American Literature 19th Century History and Criticism.
African American Authors Collection
About 1,100 books from the Internet Archive free online on the subject of African American Authors. Some authors: Alice Walker, May Angelou, Ralph Ellison, James Whitfield Ellison, John Edgar Wideman, Brenda Jackson, Henry Louis Gates, Alice Dunbar-Nelson, Richard Wright, Donald Goines, Amiri Baraka, James Weldon Johnson, Woodie King Jr., Zora Neale Hurston, Wallace Thurman, Walter Mosley, Walter Dean Myers, many more.
English Literature – History and Criticism Collection
About 1,050 free online books at the Internet Archive, resulting from a search for books on “English Literature – History and Criticism”.
English Literature – 20th Century – History and Criticism Collection
About 330 books from the Internet Archive free online on the subject of English Literature – 20th Century – History and Criticism.
English Literature – 19th century – History and Criticism Collection
About 460 free online books at the Internet Archive, resulting from a search for books on “English Literature – 19th century – History and Criticism”.
English Literature 1500-1700 – History & Criticism Collection
About 400 books from the Internet Archive free online on the subject of English Literature 1500-1700 – History & Criticism.
Suggested Literary Criticism Books
Contemporary Authors New Revision Series (Volumes 1-17 Incomplete)
Evory, Ann, ed.
Gale 1981-2011
“A Bio-Bibliographical guide to current writers in Fiction, General Nonfiction, Poetry, Journalism, Drama, Motion Pictures, Television, and other fields. In response to the escalating need for up-to-date information on writers, Contemporary Authors New Revision Series brings researchers the most recent data on the world’s most-popular authors.” – Publishers
Contemporary Literary Criticism (Volumes 1-298)
Hunter, Jeffrey W., ed.
Gale 1973-2011
Covers authors who are currently active or who died after December 31, 1959. Profiles novelists, poets, playwrights and other creative and nonfiction writers by providing criticism taken from books, magazines, literary reviews, newspapers and scholarly journals.
Classic and Medieval Literature Criticism (Volumes 1-128)
Krstovic, Jelena, ed.
Gale 1988-2010
“Presents literary criticism on the works of classical and medieval philosophers, poets, playwrights, political leaders, scientists, mathematicians, and writers from other genres. Critical essays are selected from leading sources, including published journals, magazines, books, reviews, and scholarly papers. – Publisher
Literature Criticism from 1400 to 1800 (Volumes 1-169)
Schoenberg, Thomas J., ed.
Gale 1984-2010
Presents literary criticism on the works of writers of the period 1400-1800. Critical essays are selected from leading sources, including published journals, magazines, books, reviews, diaries, broadsheets, pamphlets, and scholarly papers.
Drama Criticism (Volumes 1-53)
Trudeau, Lawrence J., ed.
Gale 1991-2015
“Presents literary criticism on the works of dramatists of all nations, cultures, and time periods. Critical essays are selected from leading sources, including published journals, magazines, books, reviews, radio transcripts, diaries, newspapers, broadsheets, pamphlets, and scholarly papers” – Publisher
Short Story Criticism: Excerpts from Criticism of the Works of Short Fiction Writers (Volumes 1-217)
Trudeau, Lawrence J., ed.
Cengage Gale 1988 – 2015
“Short Story Criticism assembles critical responses to the writings of the worlds most renowned short fiction writers and provides supplementary biographical context and bibliographic material to guide the reader to a greater understanding of the genre and its creators. Each of the more than 250 volumes in this series profiles approximately 3-6 writers of short fiction from all time periods and all parts of the world. Entries provide an introductory biographical essay, a primary bibliography, a selection of full-text or excerpted critical essays reproduced from books, magazines, literary reviews, newspapers and scholarly journals, and sources for additional research; many entries include an author portrait. A full citation and annotation precede each of the approximately 50 essays per volume. The series currently covers more than 500 authors and also includes numerous entries focusing on individual works and topics.” – Publisher 2018 description. This link contains about 150 volumes between vol 1 and vol 217. Refer to the cumulative indexes in the most recent volume.
Twentieth-Century Literary Criticism (Volumes 1-246)
Trudeau, Lawrence J., ed.
Gale 1978-2011
Presents literary criticism on the works of twentieth-century writers of all genres, nations, and cultures. Critical essays are selected from leading sources, including published journals, magazines, books, reviews, diaries, interviews, radio and television transcripts, pamphlets, and scholarly papers.
Nineteenth-Century Literature Criticism (Volumes 2-235)
Zott, Lynn, ed.
Gale 1982-2011
“Presents literary criticism on the works of nineteenth-century writers of all genres, nations, and cultures. Critical essays are selected from leading sources, including published journals, magazines, books, reviews, diaries, broadsheets, pamphlets, and scholarly papers.” – Publisher
Book Collections of Literature Reading Guides and Bibliographies
Bibliographies of American Literature Collection
About 180 free online books at the Internet Archive, resulting from a search for books on “Bibliographies of American Literature”. Great books online, free classic books online, modern classic novels, literature guides.
Bibliographies of English Literature Collection
About 190 free online books at the Internet Archive, resulting from a search for books on “Bibliographies of English Literature”.
Suggested Literature Reading Guides and Study Guides
World Historical Fiction: An annotated guide to novels for adults and young adults
Adamson, Lynda G.
Oryx 1999 Dewey Dec. .016.8
This book and its complement (American Historical Fiction) fill a gap in the bibliographic reference shelf by identifying historical novels for both adult and young adult readers. World Historical Fiction contains over 6,000 novels set outside the U.S. The newest titles, as well as old favorites, are covered and books that are appropriate for young adults are indicated. Each volume is indexed by author, title, genre, subject, and geographic setting for ease of reference. Children’s historical fiction ebooks, Literary Criticism / Books & Reading, Historical fiction.
The Book of Great Books: A Guide to 100 World Classics
Campbell, W. John
Barnes & Noble 2000
Provides background, key characters, main themes & ideas, symbols, descriptions of style and structure, critical overview, and summary of 100 great world classic novels.
The Reader’s Adviser: The Best in World Literature
DiYanni, Robert, ed.
R.R. Bowker 1994 Dewey Dec. 016.8
From age-old classics to the writings of today, The Reader’s Adviser helps you select and appreciate the world’s greatest books. This monumental work features: hundreds of authors and thousands of works new to this edition, plus updated entries and revised material in every chapter, updated critical and biographical profiles reflecting the latest understanding and scholarship, more women writers and more culturally diverse writers from around the world, title, name, & subject indexes. the free online novel. Reference books — Bibliography, Literature — Bio-bibliography, Best books, Literature — Bibliography.
The Torchlight List: Around the World in 200 Books
Flynn, Jim
Skyhorse 2013
A professor for over forty years, Jim Flynn compiled a list of recommendations for his students that transport the reader into a magic realm of knowledge and imagination. The books must also shed light on human psychology, history, science, or philosophy: the concepts needed to comprehend the complexities of the modern world. – Publisher
Fifty Years of Best Sellers 1895-1945
Hackett, Alice Payne
Bowker 1945 Dewey Dec. 16.8
Each year through 1911 has a list of the top 10 works of fiction; for each year afterward the top 10 works of non-fiction are also listed. A half-page description of annual highlights often follows the lists. The volume also contains a chapter on American best sellers from 1880-1945, and another on best-selling books and authors before 1880. Bibliography — Best sellers, all ebooks.
Reading Women: A Book Club Guide for Women’s Fiction
Hill, Nanci Milone
Libraries Unlimited 2012 Dewey Dec. 016
“Brings together information on over 100 women’s fiction titles, providing everything a book group needs to encourage focused, stimulating meetings… Readers will learn the difference between women’s fiction, romance, and chick lit, as well as why these genres provide a rich trove of discussion topics for book groups.”
World Historical Fiction Guide
an annotated chronological, geographical and topical list of selected historical novels
McGarry, Daniel D.
Scarecrow 1973 Dewey Dec. .016.8
Historical fiction — Indexes, Historical fiction.
Accessing the Classics: Great Reads for Adults, Teens, and English Language Learners
Rosow, La Vergne
Libraries Unlimited 2006 Dewey Dec. 016
All readers—even those still learning to speak English—can enjoy the delights and benefits of great literature with the help of this motivational and practical book guide. Rosow takes you on a journey through the history of Western literature, beginning with ancient myths and moving to medieval tales and classics of the Renaissance, Romantic Movement, and Modernism. Along the way, she shows you how to give readers easy access to some of the best literature of all time. Scores of collections focus on such ancient and enduring stories as Gilgamesh, Beowulf, the tales of Chaucer; historical masterpieces of William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Edgar Allan Poe, Charles Dickens; and stellar names of more recent times, such as Virginia Woolf, John Steinbeck, Ernest Hemingway, and J.R.R. Tolkien. Each carefully selected collection lists an assortment of titles, ranging in reading level and arranged progressively from simple renditions, such as picture book re-tellings, through more advanced selections and readings where audio versions and simpler formatting support the reader, and on to the most challenging reads. Author profiles and narrative, as well as detailed descriptions of each title provide further insights into the story lines and features of the books.
The Reading List. Contemporary Fiction: A Critical Guide to the Complete Works of 125 Authors
Rubel, David
Henry Holt 1998
“The Reading List illuminates the work of current novelists who have captured the imagination of the modern reader. Each entry includes critical commentary on the author’s published fiction by prominent reviewers, as well as thematic and plot synopses, and a short biography. The Reading List features a broad spectrum of writers from our shores and abroad whose works are available in English.” – Publisher
Jury of Her Peers: American Women Writers from Anne Bradstreet to Annie Proulx
Showalter, Elaine
Knopf 2009
“In a narrative of immense scope and fascination – spanning nearly 400 years and brimming with Showalter’s characteristic wit and incisive opinions – readers are introduced to more than 250 female writers, both famous and little known.”
Read On … Women’s Fiction: Reading Lists for Every Taste /h3>
Vnuk, Rebecca
Libraries Unlimited/ABC-CLIO 2009 Dewey Dec. 016
Vnuk categorizes and lists hundreds of popular women’s fiction titles, but her scope is more current and more selective than that found in other guides, the tone is lighter and more informal, annotations are shorter and livelier. Most important, the organization and approach are based on various appeal factors of the genre, rather than on the formal genres and subgenres adhered to by other guides.
Native North American Literature
Witalec, Janet, ed.
Gale Research 1994
A comprehensive source of bibliographical and critical information covering native American authors and other originators of literatures in the Native North American tradition. The book describes oral traditions as well as written literature.
Vintage Literature Reading Guides
VINTAGE BOOKS – Literature Reading Guides
A Descriptive Guide to the Best Fiction, British and American, Including Translations from Foreign Languages; Containing about 4,500 References
Baker, Ernest Albert
Macmillan 1903
Note under each title gives theme and occasionally characterization, and list of editions. Best or representative works are starred. In Historical appendix all books illustrating history or social life of a country are entered briefly under 1) country, 2) period, 3) date. Full subject index and author-title index increase reference value. – A.L.A.Catalog 1904 (American Library Association).
A Guide to Historical Fiction
Baker, Ernest Albert
Routledge 1914
Lists about five thousand novels which in any way portray the life of the past, including medieval romances and novels of manners, as well as avowedly historical novels. The arrangement is first by country and then chronologically by the historical period illustrated. Brief descriptive notes and a full index. The best and most comprehensive list yet published.
— A.L.A. Catalog 1926.
A Guide to British Historical Fiction
Buckley, John Anthony and Williams, W. T.,
Harrap 1912
“The list, which is representative and not exhaustive, has been compiled with a view to illustrating every phase of British History to which reference is usually made in an ordinary School course.”
– from the Forward
European War Fiction in English and Personal Narratives; Bibliographies
Dawson, Loleta and Hunting, Marion Davis
Faxon 1921
Part 1 contains 320 briefly annotated works of fiction; all are about World War I and set primarily between August 1914 and November 1918. They are organized by country. At the end of Part 1 is an index by author.
Part 2 is a bibliography of personal narratives of the war. All items are briefly annotated, and only those narratives considered by the compiler to have lasting value were included. There appear to be at least 400 books and articles in Part 2.
Translations of Foreign Novels; a Selected List (Useful references series)
Grimm, Minerva Ethel
Boston Book Club 1917
Selected list of translations from eighteen different languages, arranged alphabetically by author and also by title. Nearly 1,100 novels are included.
— A.L.A. Catalog 1926
List of Books for Girls and Women and their Clubs (A.L.A. Annotated Lists)
Leypoldt, A. H., & Iles, George, ed.
American Library Association 1895
About 2,100 titles in chief branches of literature, classed under 26 main headings; each group selected and annotated by a specialist. Publishers and prices; very full index. List is general and equally useful for boys and men. – A.L.A.Catalog 1904
Guide to the Best Historical Novels and Tales
Nield, Jonathan
Putnam 1925
Contains virtually all the historical novels in the English language or which have been translated into English, classified according to period treated, and arranged in columns under title, author and publisher, and subject. Juvenile and especially good books are indicated. No notes. Several bibliographies and author and title indexes.- A.L.A. Catalog 1926
Register of Bibliographies of the English Language and Literature (Cornell studies in English)
Northup, Clark Sutherland
Yale University 1925
Includes both separately published bibliographies and a wealth of careful analysis of bibliographies contained in periodicals, literary histories, society transactions, biographical dictionaries, provincial bibliographies and other composite works. All entries are given with exact reference, there are some critical and descriptive notes, and references to reviews are also included. The total number of bibliographies listed is well over six thousand, and they represent a close selection.
— A.L.A. Catalog 1926.
Standard Catalog for Public Libraries: Literature and Philology Section
An Annotated List of 1600 Titles with a Full Analytical Index
Wilson, H.W.; Sears, Minnie Earl, comp.
Wilson 1931
Related Pages on Century Past
These Century Past Pages May Be of Interest
Historical Fiction by Location of Setting
Classic Novels, in Text and Audio
Reading Guides for Popular Fiction
Fantasy, Supernatural, and Horror Novels
Novels for Teens and Young Adults
Popular Fiction Main Page – Many Genres