Abridgement of : The Oxford companion to English literature, 5th ed., 1985.

Based on the bestselling Oxford Companion to English Literature , this is an indispensable, compact guide to all aspects of English literature. For this revised edition, existing entries have been fully updated and 60 new entries have been added on contemporary writers, such as Peter Acroyd, Martin Amis, Toni Morrison, and Jeanette Winterson. Detailed new appendices include a chronology of English literature, and a listing of major literary prizes-winners. * Over 5,000 entries on the lives and works of authors, poets, and playwrights * Character entries and plot summaries * Literary movements, critics, and critical theories * Generous coverage of the literatures of other countries * New appendices listing literary prize-winners - including the Nobel, Booker, and Pulitzer prizes New entries: ACKROYD, Peter; AMIS, Martin; BANKS, Iain; BANKS, Lynne Reid; BANVILLE, John; BARNES, Julian; BAWDEN, Nina; BOYD, William; BRINK, Andre; BROOKNER, Anita; CAREY, Peter; CARTER, Angela; CHATWIN, Bruce; COETZEE, J. M.; COPE, Wendy; DAHL, Roald; DAVIES, W.