The seventh edition of the acclaimed guide, now under the editorship of Dinah Birch.
Wide-ranging coverage of writers, works, historical context, literary theory, and allusions. Encompasses recent writers, ideas, and scholarship, as well as shifting the overall tone of the Companion to bring it more in line with current language usage. Areas such as science fiction, biography, travel writing, crime fiction, and fantasy are more thoroughly covered. Over 150 contributors, including Chris Baldick, Elleke Boehmer, David Bradshaw, John Carey, Ian Christie, Peter Kemp, Hermione Lee, Michael Rosen, and Stanley Wells
Detailed chronology shows key literary works and events of the last thousand years in historical context
Lists of poets laureate and literary prize winners from inception to the present day

New to this edition

Greater coverage is given to areas such as biography, children`s literature, travel writing, crime fiction, fantasy, and science fiction
Literature crucial to contemporary courses, such as post-colonial literature, women`s writing, and gay and lesbian writing, are all covered more comprehensively
More thematic entries are included, including essays by high-profile writers, offering personal points of view on their areas of expertise
Improved cross-referencing throughout the Companion makes it easier to navigate and to locate relevant information
Bibliographical information included for major entries, on both authors and themes
Encompasses recent writers, ideas, and scholarship, as well as shifting the overall tone of the Companion to bring it more in line with current language usage
Now under the editorship of Dinah Birch
The Oxford Companion to English Literature has long been established as the leading reference resource for students, teachers, scholars, and general readers of English literature. It provides unrivalled coverage of all aspects of English literature - from writers, their works, and the historical and cultural context in which they wrote, to critics, literary theory, and allusions.
For the seventh edition, the Companion has been thoroughly revised and updated to meet the needs and concerns of today`s students and general readers. Over 1,000 new entries have been added, ranging from new writers - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Patrick Marber, David Mitchell, Arundhati Roy - to increased coverage of writers and literary movements from around the world. Coverage of American literature has been substantially increased, with new entries on writers such as Cormac McCarthy and Amy Tan and on movements and publications.
Contextual and historical coverage has also been expanded, with new entries on European history and culture, post-colonial literature, as well as writers and literary movements from around the world that have influenced English literature.
The Companion has always been a quick and dependable source of reference for students, and the new edition confirms its pre-eminent role as the go-to resource of first choice. All entries have been reviewed, and details of new works, biographies, and criticism have been brought right up to date. So also has coverage of the themes, approaches and concepts encountered by students today, from terms to articles on literary theory and theorists. There is increased coverage of writers from around the world, as well as from Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, and of contextual topics, including film and television, music, and art. Cross-referencing has been thoroughly updated, with stronger linking from writers to thematic and conceptual entries.
Meanwhile coverage of popular genres such as children`s literature, science fiction, biography, reportage, crime fiction, fantasy or travel literature has been increased substantially, with new entries on writers from Philip Pullman to Anne Frank and from Anais Nin to Douglas Adams.

The seventh edition of this classic Companion - now under the editorship of Dinah Birch, assisted by a team of 28 distinguished associate editors, and over 150 contributors - ensures that it retains its status as the most authoritative, informative, and accessible guide to literature available.