Novels
Novels are by definition works of fiction (as opposed to fact) written in prose (as opposed to the lined verse of a poem or the dialogue of a play). They are also typically continuous (as opposed to being broken up into multiple short stories) and fairly lengthy (as opposed to a novella, which is longer than a short story but shorter than a novel). Use the resources below to find literary criticism for novels using print and electronic resources.
Locating Novels
You can browse literary novels (and short stories) at the Central Library by heading straight to the following call numbers in the non-fiction section: 823 (English), 833 (German), 843 (French), 853 (Italian), 863 (Spanish), 873 (Latin), 883 (Classical Greek). For novels originally written in other languages or by authors hailing from other countries, it is best to search the catalogue directly.
You can also find many novels in the fiction section at all VPL locations, organized alphabetically by the author's last name; however not all of these will be considered "literature" in the sense that they are subject to literary criticism.
Finding Literary Criticism
1. Check the Catalogue. For major fiction writers, such as Charles Dickens or Jane Austen, the library will have materials that analyse their novels. Search for the author's name in the library catalogue by subject and add the phrase Criticism and Interpretation.
e.g. Jane Austen + Criticism and Interpretation.
If an entire book has been written about a novel, such as Dickens' Great Expectations, you may find it in the Library's collections. Search for the author's name in the catalogue by subject and include the title of the novel.
e.g. Charles Dickens + Great Expectations
2. Use the literary criticism reference tools that include analysis of many different works, especially the various series published by Gale. Almost all major Gale series are available in the Reference Resources section on level 6 and online through our electronic databases below
- Gale Ebooks : This subcollection of the Gale Virtual Reference Library contains resources for understanding works of literature. It includes the For Students literature criticism series, Something About the Author series, plus encyclopedias, handbooks, dictionaries and other authoritative reference sources. Also try browsing the criticism works in the 8XX.9 sections on Level 6 for the appropriate language and genre (poetry, drama, fiction, etc.) and look at table of contents and indexes in each item to see if it critiques the work of interest.
- Gale Literary Index: This is the master index to Gale’s literary criticism reference tools.
- Literature Criticism Online Find authoritative critical essays and biographical profiles in this comprehensive full-text database, which includes the hundreds of volumes of Literature Criticism, Contemporary Literary Criticism, Literature Criticism 1400-1800, Poetry Criticism, Shakespearean Criticism, and 20th Century Literature Criticism. Modern and historical essays are included, covering all literary genres and periods.
Key Reference Materials
Encyclopedia of the Novel
809.3 E56s
1998
It takes an encyclopedia to fully capture and track the twists and turns that the novel has taken on its road to becoming the most popular literary form. More than 600 entries include essays on writers, novels and topics, as well as lengthy surveys of the novel in various regions across the globe.
Literature and Its Times Profiles of 300 Notable Literary Works and the Historical Events That Influenced Them
809.93 L77m
1997
This five-volume set will help students beginning research on the historical influences and setting of a work, from Greek and Roman authors to current writers.
Masterplots
809 M194m3
2011
A classic reference work for more than sixty years, it analyzes the most important works in all genres—long fiction, short fiction, poetry, drama, and nonfiction—throughout history and around the world, helping to define and critique the literary canon. Others in the Series: Masterplots II: African American Literature Series, 810.9 M423m Masterplots II: American Fiction Series, 808.8 M19f Masterplots II: British & Commonwealth Fiction Series, 808.8 M19fb Masterplots II: Women's Literature Series, 809.89287 M42m Masterplots II: World Fiction Series, 809.3 M42mw
Nineteenth-century Literature Criticism
809 N71h
A convenient source of commentary on the careers and works of acclaimed poets, novelists, short story writers, dramatists and philosophers who died between 1800 and 1899.
Novels for Students
809.305 N939
2012
Understandable explanations of Huckleberry Finn, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Color Purple and other novels frequently studied in literature courses. note: available in print and electronic formats.
