The Seventeenth-Century Literature Handbook

Evans and Sterling, both of Auburn University, have produced not only a guide to British seventeenth-century literature, but also a handy reference to current trends in criticism. The book provides a timeline and an overview of the major historical events, primarily the Civil War, Interregnum and Restoration. This is followed by mini-biographies of some of the important writers along with literary and cultural movements, including the Royal Society, which, as Margaret Cavendish discovered, did not care what women thought. The handbook, however, notes recent work on women writers of the day as well as attitudes toward homosexuality and race. Essays explaining ways to read and analyze a work are excellent as is the explanation of the many ways to interpret one poem according to various literary theories. There is a glossary and solid biography for further research. The chapter on teaching the literature is the classroom is only available on line. The handbook is intended for use by teachers with sections to be used by students. However the articles on theory and analysis could be used in any literature class bewildered by the plethora of viewpoints on literary interpretation. Annotation c2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)