American Literature

This comprehensive history of American Literature traces its development from the earliest colonial writings of the late 1500s through to the present day. This lively, engaging and highly accessible guide: offers lucid discussions of all major influences and movements such as Puritanism, Transcendentalism, Realism, Naturalism, Modernism and Postmodernism draws on the historical, cultural, and political contexts of key literary texts and authors covers the whole range of American literature: prose, poetry, theatre and experimental literature includes substantial sections on native and ethnic American literatures explains and contextualises major events, terms and figures in American history.This book is essential reading for anyone seeking to situate their reading of American Literature in the appropriate religious, cultural, and political contexts.

Hans Bertens is Distinguished Professor of the Humanities at Utrecht University and has published mostly on American literature, postmodernism, and literary theory.Theo D’haen is Professor of English and Comparative Literature at the University of Leuven (KU Leuven) and has published primarily on American literature, postmodernism, postcolonialism and world literature.