Customer Reviews

A Companion to Catalan Literature (Hispanic studies: Monografias A)

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With Arthur Terry being one of the most prominent experts in the field of Hispanic and, more specifically, Catalan literature, one opens this book with high expectations - and without being deceived: Terry presents the entire history of Catalan literature, from the medieval beginnings up to the 21st century, in a very readable and concise way. The book does not expect the reader to have an active knowledge of Catalan and not even of Spanish, as all quotes are translated. The bibliography indicates further reading and - even more useful for the newcomer - English translations of important Catalan literary work. Terry insists throughout the book on the fact that the development of Catalan literature may only be understood in relation to the historical and political circumstances (although this is probably true for any national or regional literature). Obviously, treating an entire national literature as the Catalan one on 160 pages is not possible without some restrictions; therefore, Terry concentrates on the most important names and leaves aside minor authors. For the readership he has in mind - students of Hispanic literature with no previous knowledge about Catalan literature - this is okay. The more advanced or specialized reader will therefore not discover many new things in Terry's book. However, Terry takes into account representative authors from all parts of the Catalan-speaking zone, not only from Catalonia itself but also from València and the Balearic Island. As an introductory book - namely for readers without or with poor knowledge of Catalan, Spanish or other Romances tongues - I can highly recommand this book. It is a well-designed and well-produced book, but a consequence of this is the somehow expensive price (which made me attribute 4 stars "only"), so a cheaper paperback edition would be welcome if the book was really to be used as a companion reader in a universitarian literature class.