Literature of Developing Nations for Students

Library Journal

This useful new survey of literature beyond the mainstream is arranged alphabetically by title. Each entry begins with an introduction of a few paragraphs to the author and specific novel and then, like Magill's "Masterplot" series, provides plot summary and analysis. Excerpts from essays and articles about the novel are provided, as in many Gale works, and short summaries of major characters, an overview of important themes, historical context, a critical overview, and a bibliography are also included. The set concludes with a glossary of literary terms and three indexes: Cumulative Author/Title, Nationality/Ethnicity, and Subject/Theme. A large number of the titles discussed here are not yet included in Gale's "Contemporary Literary Criticism" series. Troublesome, however, is the failure to define the term "developing nations." The inclusion of four Americans (three born abroad and one, Ana Castillo, born in Chicago) makes one wonder what "literature of developing nations" really means: developing nations as settings? ethnic heritage? Hopefully, in future volumes the editors will define the term so that librarians will have a better sense of when to refer a patron to this resource. On a more minor note: The introductory essay to Ana Castillo's So Far from God showed signs of sloppy editing, with numerous typos. Nontheless, this will be particularly valuable where students need help developing research topics about fiction. Recommended for most college libraries and for public libraries serving high school students.--Cynthia A. Johnson, Barnard Coll. Lib., New York Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.