HISPANIC LITERATURE:

A ROHRBACH LIBRARY PATHFINDER

 

Prepared by Sylvia Pham

Reference Librarian, Rohrbach Library

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

            Hispanic literature is a genre of literature that has generated interest within the past few decades.  Hispanic literature includes works by writers native to Spanish speaking countries.  It also includes works by writers of Spanish descent who are living in the United States.  People are discovering the richness and variety that Hispanic writers have to offer.  As a result more college students are reading Hispanic literature in their classrooms. 

            The following is an annotated list of Hispanic literature resources available in Rohrbach Library’s Reference Department.  These resources can help students become familiar with Hispanic authors.  They can also explain the meaning and significance of various literary works.  Call numbers of the texts are given to help locate the books more easily. 

 

 

SELECT LIBRARY OF CONGRESS SUBJECT HEADINGS

 

            These subject headings and subsequent titles can be found in Quincy, the library’s online catalog.  These headings can be found by a doing a Library of Congress subject search using the phrases Spanish Literature, Spanish American Literature or Latin American Literature.

 

·        Spanish literature

·        Spanish literature chronology

·        Spanish literature 18th century history and criticism

·        Spanish literature 19th century history and criticism

·        Spanish literature 20th century history and criticism

·        Latin American literature

·        Latin American 20th century history and criticism

·        Latin American literature encyclopedias

·        Latin American literature women authors

·        Spanish American literature

·        Spanish American literature dictionaries

·        Spanish American literature history and criticism

·        Spanish American poetry

·        Spanish American prose literature

·        Spanish American poets

·        Spanish fiction 20th century history and criticism bibliography

 

 

TEXTS

 

The Contemporary Spanish Novel.  By Samuel Amell, 1996.

This book is for those researching materials about the novels written after the Spanish Civil War.  The book is arranged in two parts.  Part one provides information on books that study Spanish novels.  Part two provides information on articles that study the Spanish novel.  Each entry is annotated and contains a brief commentary about the work.  There are two indexes, an author index and a literary title index.

REF PQ 6144 A43 1996

 

Hispanic Literature Criticism.  Ed. by Jelena Krstovic, 1994.

This two-volume set is a part of Gale’s Literary Criticism Series.  Authors are arranged alphabetically.  There is an introduction to each author, featuring biographical information.  Following the introduction of each author are critical essays about the author’s works.  These essays are written by many notable writers.  Following the critical commentaries is a list of sources for further study and research.  As with other books in Gale’s series, there is an author index and title index.  

REF PQ 7081A1 H573 1994

 

Encyclopedia of Latin American Literature.  Ed. by Verity Smith, 1997.

The features included in this book are critical commentaries, biography, a listing of selected works, and materials for further reading.  There are entries discussing the literary characteristics of various Latin American countries, entries on selected, influential writings, and  entries on other topics of literary interest.  There are two indexes, a title index and a general index.

REF PQ 7081 A1E56 1997

 

Latin American Writers.  Ed. by Charles A. Sole, 1989.

The book gives readers detailed and lengthy entries on many Latin American writers.  Entries are biographical, with commentaries about selected works written throughout.  Volume one has a chronological table, noting dates of historical importance as well as significant dates in Latin American literary history.  Each entry is written by a separate author.  A list of resources used by each author is listed at the end of each entry.

REF PQ 7081 A1L37 1989

 

Masterpieces of Latino Literature.  Ed. by Frank N. Magill

This single volume text features literary highlights by Hispanic authors from the seventeenth century to the present time.  A plot summary, description of major characters, analysis, and critical commentary are given to each individual work.  The book is arranged alphabetically by literature title.  There are two indexes, one for title and for author.

REF PQ 7081 A1m29 1994

 

Index to Translated Short Fiction by Latin American Women in English Language Anthologies.  By Kathy S. Leonard

This unique book is a listing of short stories written by Latin American women that have been translated into English and included in English language anthologies.  The anthologies included were published between 1938-1996.  There is an anthology index noting important information about each anthology.  The title index helps readers to locate individual pieces of short fiction.  There is also an index linking the author and their works.

REF PQ 7082 S5L46 1997

 

Spanish American Authors. By Angel Flores

There are over three hundred authors are noted here.  Both men and women are included.  The focus is mainly biographical.  Each entry includes a listing of the author’s works.  Entries also include sources for further reading and study.

REF PQ 7081.3 F57 1992

 

Women Authors of Modern Hispanic South America.  By Sandra Messinger Cypess, David R. Kohut, and Rachelle Moore.

This book is a bibliography for critical material on women writers of South America.  Only writers of the twentieth century are noted.  All genres of writing are covered.  The author index includes the country of origin for each writer. 

REF PQ 7081 C94 1989

 

The Oxford Companion to Spanish Literature. Ed. by Philip Ward, 1978.

This compact, alphabetically arranged book provides information on important writers and writings of Spanish literature.  Writers from Spain, Central America, South American, and the Caribbean are represented.  Not only are literary authors and their writings noted, but also works by historians, philosophers, religious leaders, and other scholars.  The time period covered in this book is from approximately 200 B.C. to 1977.

REF PQ 6006 O95

 

Modern Latin American Literature.  Ed. by David William Foster

This two-volume set is a critical commentary of various Hispanic authors.  There are 137 writers featured. Each writer has several commentaries written about their work.  Many of the commentaries in this book were written by people from the author’s native country.  There are two indexes, an author index and a critic index. 

REF PQ 7081 F63 1975

 

Women Writers of Spanish America.  Ed. by Diane E. Marting

This is an alphabetical list of Hispanic women authors.  Many entries feature brief biographical information.  Following the biographical information are annotated entries on selected works.  There is also a section grouping the authors by country.

REF PQ 7081 W63 1987

 

Dictionary of Mexican Literature.  Ed. by Eladio Cortes

This book focuses on Mexican writers.  As with a standard dictionary, entries are alphabetical.  The writer’s background is given, as well as a listing of works.  A bibliography is given for each author’s entry.  The book is indexed.

REF PQ 7106 D53 1992

 

Diccionario de Ecritores Mexicanos.  By Aurora M. Ocampo de Gomez and

Ernesto Prado Velasquez

As with the work noted above, this is also a text focusing exclusively on Mexican literature.  The beginning of the text gives readers a timeline on different periods of literary history.  Entries feature biographical information, a listing of works, and a list of references.  The book is written entirely in Spanish.

REF PQ 7106 O24

 

Literature Mexicana.  By Maria Del Carmen Millan

This book is also written entirely in Spanish.  It focuses on Mexican literature.  Author and other subjects are grouped by style and time period.  Examples of literature are also given.  The book is illustrated and indexed.

REF PQ 7111 M5 1970

 

Biographical Dictionary of Hispanic Literature in the United States.  Ed. by Nicolas Kanellos

This work focuses on authors of Hispanic literature who have ties to the United States (usually as residents who lived in the U.S. at one time or another).  Entries feature a biography, major themes, a survey of criticism and bibliography.  The bibliography includes works by the author and works about the author.  The book is indexed. 

REF PQ 7420.2 K3 1989

 

Double Minorities of Spain.  By Kathleen McNerney and Christina Enriquez

De Salamanca , 1994.

This is a unique book focusing on women writers of Spain who did not write in Spanish but who wrote in one of the three other languages of Spain- Basque, Galician, and Catalan.  Biographical information is given, as well as a listing of books and other literary works the authors had done.  An appendix groups the writers by time period and by language.

REF PC 3904 D68 1994

 

A Sourcebook for Hispanic Literature and Language.  By Donald Bleznick, 1983.

This is a guide for finding books, journals, etc. dealing with Spanish language and literature.  Titles are grouped by type of literature, bibliographies, history, linguistics, and scholarly journals.  Over 1,400 entries are included.  The book is indexed.

REF PC 4071 B55 1983

 

Dictionary of Spanish Literature.  By Maxim Newmark, 1970.

This is a compact work for those studying Spanish literature.  Authors and their significant writings are described concisely, with very little critical commentary.  Terms are arranged alphabetically. 

REF PZ 6006 N4 1970

 

WEBSITES

 

Websites are useful for finding out information a variety of topics on Hispanic American literature.  The following websites contain relevant information on Hispanic American literature.

 

Librarian’s Index to the Internet  

A subject search using the phrase Hispanic Americans will bring up many useful links to websites containing, in-depth, credible information.

 

Hispanic Online

This website is based on Hispanic Magazine.  It features a variety of topics and issues.                                                    

 

Latino Online News Network

This website features news stories from Latin America as well as other news stories of interest to Hispanic Americans.

 

 

 

LIBRARY DATABASES

             

            The following databases available at Rohrbach Library contain many full-text articles and abstracts on Hispanic Americans.  Most of the databases are available through the library’s homepage and can be accessed off-campus. 

 

MLA Bibliography

            This database is produced by the Modern Language Association of America.  It covers literature, language, linguistics, and folklore.  There are many records focusing on Hispanic Literature.  There are also citations to articles that have been written in Spanish.

 

Project Muse

            This is an electronic journal database featuring scholarly articles in full text.  History, visual and performing arts, cultural studies, education, political studies as well as literature and criticism are among the subjects covered.  This database is only available on campus. 

 

Ethnic Newswatch

            This is a general reference database with many articles in both English and Spanish.  Spanish-based journals, magazines, and newspapers are represented.  Topics include current news, history, sociology, business, government, culture, literature, journalism, and more.

 

Ebscohost Academic Search Premier

            This general academic database contains many full-text articles on Hispanic Americans.  A variety of mainstream magazines and journals are featured here. 

 

Web Feet Online

            This databases features web sites on a variety of topics carefully reviewed by teachers, librarians and other specialists.  It is updated monthly for accuracy and relevancy.

 

 

 

Back / Library Home Page / KU Home Page