From Library Journal
Another in the St. James "Contemporary Writers" series, this new volume provides a solidly crafted introduction to 250 modern women poets writing in English, over 100 of whom are new to the series. The poets range from the very well known?e.g., Maya Angelou, Louise Erdrich, Marge Piercy, Jorie Graham, and Diane Ackerman?to the less well known and studied. Each entry includes a biography, a listing of works both by and about the poet, a personal statement when available from the poet about her work and influences, and a critical essay. The critical essays range from 500 to 1000 words but are sufficient to provide insight into the poetry for the beginning researcher. Each is signed, and a detailed list of contributors?including such notables as poets Rita Dove and Diane Wakoski and scholars Marjorie Perloff and Elizabeth Mills?is included. Indexes by title and nationality round out the text. This volume is particularly valuable in providing critical examinations of poets who have yet to receive much formal attention. Recommended for all academic libraries and larger public libraries.?Neal Wyatt, Chesterfield Cty. P.L., VA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
The voices of women poets in the twentieth century are diverse, for they come from many places around the world and their work involves a wide range of subjects. This reference book attempts to gather their names and provide a sense of their work and critical reception. The volume, one of St James' Contemporary Writers series, offers biographical, bibliographical, and critical information on approximately 250 women poets, 100 of whom are new to the series. Although the majority are writing in English, many foreign-language writers who would be of interest to students and the general public have been included.
Two essays that describe the power of contemporary women poets and the way American women poets use the so-called American Myth (of success, happiness, and all related entitlements) open this volume and suggest the parameters within which women poets write. A list of entrants precedes the entries, which are arranged alphabetically by last name. Each entry is divided into sections: biographical data including career, awards, agent, and address; a bibliography of works which may indicate media information, manuscript collections, and critical sources; a personal statement by the entrant, if available; and a critical essay on the poet's work by an established critic, poet, or editor. Each critical essay is signed. Works published as recently as 1997 are included in the bibliographies. Two indexes, by title and by nationality, and a brief annotated alphabetical list of contributors conclude the volume.
Readers will find information on such famous poets as Adrienne Rich and Ntozake Shange as well as the lesser-known British poet Kate Clanchy. Some writers better known for their fiction than their poetry, such as Joyce Carol Oates and Margaret Atwood, are discussed in terms of their poetic contributions. And the reader can become familiar with Suniti Namjoshi, originally writing from her native India, or Bella Akmadulina, former wife of poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko, who has gained recognition for her own abilities as a Russian poet and translator. While information on many of these women can be found in other reference works, this compilation is useful because it allows the reader to explore each poet's work in relation to the other poets who are discussed. A poet's comments, when provided, offer a distinct perspective, while the critical commentary suggests the place in contemporary poetry that the writer may have, and the index by nationality enables a student to find what countries are represented, and what writers are identified with a particular nation.
This reference work, like the other titles in the series, is easy to use. It will have appeal both to academic and public-library users and can satisfy the interest or answer questions of many readers. It will be a useful addition to a library's reference section.
