Literary Criticism of Novels

This guide addresses the need for literary criticism for beginning literary critics. It provides resources for finding novels by subject, for getting plot summaries, reviews and criticism or explication of novels.

Starting Points

Literary Reference Center Plus

Ebsco's scholarly articles and criticisms, bios and interviews, novels, short stories, & poems.

Literary Index

Gale's Literary Index is a master index to the major literature products published by Gale. It combines and cross-references over 157,000 author names, including pseudonyms and variant names, and listings for over 210,000 titles into one source.

Book Review Digest

For finding novels by subject and book reviews.

Articles & eResources

MLA International Bibliography

For book reviews and literary criticism.

Literature Resource Center

Rich in biographical, bibliographical, and critical content, Gale's Literature Resource Center is the premier Internet resource for information on literary figures from all time periods writing in such genres as fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama, history, journalism, and more.

NoveList

Database providing title, author, and subject recommendations for readers of fiction and nonfiction.

NoveList K-8 Plus

A readers' advisory tool designed specifically for children in grades K-8. Readers may select from information provided to find similar books that appeal to them.

Academic Search Complete

For finding book reviews.

Using the Library Catalog

Click here to search the Library Catalog

Use the library catalog to find specific novels. All novels are not in one location in Randall Library; they are dispersed throughout the language and literature section, along with works of criticism and biographies.

To search for criticism of a novel within a book, consult Randall Library's catalog; select "subject," and enter the author of the novel's name (last name first). Then, search for the subject heading subdivision, "criticism and interpretation."

Books & Library Materials

This is only a sample of literary criticism print resources, to find more, please check the Randall Library online catalog or ask a librarian for help.

Masterplots complete CD-ROM

For finding plot summaries.

Masterplots II

For finding plot summaries.

Black Literature Criticism

Classical and Medieval Literature Criticism

Hispanic Literature Criticism

Literary Criticism Index

Literature Criticism from 1400 to 1800

Magill's bibliography of literary criticism

Native North American literature

Twentieth-century literary criticism

Contemporary literary criticism

Magill Index to Critical Surveys

Shakespearean criticism

Websites

Atlantic (Back Issues)

This magazine has published many critical reviews of books since the early 1900s and they now make the archive of the reviews available on the website.

Cambridge History of English and American Literature

Page maintained by:

John Osinski

Literary Criticism of Novels

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