Books in the Genres in Context series

From "The Odyssey" to "The Old Man and the Sea", the long tradition of sea voyage narratives is comprehensively explained here, including a full historical perspective supported by discussions of key texts.

A broad overview of the evolution of science fiction, from the early twentieth century dime store novel to the soft agenda SF of the '90s. Authors examined include E. M. Forster, John W. Campbell, Philip K. Dick and Ursula K. Le Guin.

Paul Alkon concentrates on several key works that mark the most significant phases in the early evolution of science fiction, setting them in the context of their time and place of origin. He goes on to discuss the genre in general and its relation to other kinds of literature.

This comprehensive study traces the evolution of nature writing from the pastoralism of Aristotle and Virgil to current American writers. It is illustrated by close readings of writers such as Thoreau, John Muir and Mary Austin.

Providing a comprehensive generic study of Holocaust literature, this volume enables readers to understand a genre in which boundaries are often blurred between history fiction, autobiography and memoir. It offers a guide to holocaust literature, along with an annotated bibliography, chronology, and further reading list.

One of the best known, most enduring, and popular genres in all of literature is the fairy tale. Its origins stretch back to preliterate oral societies. This book surveys the origins and evolution into the modern versions we recognize today.

This title reaches back to Boccaccio and Cervantes to find the short story's roots, then focuses on the 19th century, when the short story began in what we recognize as its modern form. It then moves on to the 20th century discussing important writers identifying important trends an movements.

Using a broad definition of fantasy to include myth, folklore, legend and fairy tale, this survey should interest and inform students interested in the mysterious or magical. Favourite authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien, Ursula K. Le Guin, William Morris and Robert E. Howard are examined closely.

Traces travel writing's evolution from classical times to the present, focusing on Anglo-American work since the eighteenth century. Examines texts by James Boswell, Mary Kingsley, Graham Greene, Peter Mathiessen, Naipaul and Chatwin.

Parke surveys biography from classical times to the present, focusing her analysis on Western culture, and providing detailed readings of works by James Boswell, Richard Ellman, and Gertrude Stein (who together represent the variety of modern literary biography).