Literary Companion Series - West Side Story (paperback edition) [Hardcover]

Mary E. Williams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 24, 2001 | Series: Literary Companion Series

Greenhaven Press presents a comprehensive yet accessible avenue to literary research and analysis for young adults. This unique anthology series provides an engaging approach to readers seeking literary analysis and criticism of the lives and works of leading American, British, and world authors. Every title in the Literary Companion Series is a user-friendly and lucid resource for young adults researching the world's great literary lives and works. Contributing writers' essays are taken from a broad spectrum of sources and are expertly edited to meet the reading levels of young adults. Every book includes an in-depth biography of the author that emphasizes the social and historical context of his or her life and works. Each essay's introduction summarizes the contributing author's themes and insights and provides a guide for locating main ideas. The addition of vocabulary aids also increases comprehension. This is a series that all teachers of literature and their students will welcome and use. A great resource for any library serving young adults. (20020501)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 12 Up-Despite Greenhaven's claim in the foreword that this series is "expertly edited in consideration of both the reading and comprehension levels of [young adults]," this title resembles a scholarly text more appropriate for college students and professors. The compilation begins with a description of West Side Story and its creation, then gives analysis and criticism. There is too much repetition, particularly in the first half. Terms such as revue, seminal, analogous, denouement, ?clat, potchkied, corps, and Liebestod are undefined. Allusions to Rashomon, Gilbert and Sullivan, Strauss and von Hofmannsthal, No'l Coward, and Tallulah, among others, are not explained. The musical analysis is far too technical for most adults, let alone teens: "Recurrently, bitonality-or rather two-part writing in which the upper part is unresolved appoggiatura to the lower-suggests their disconnectedness." Finally, the section on the social and cultural ramifications of West Side Story is weak and includes outdated material. Disappointingly, the book lacks illustrations. Students will be better off reading the play (and watching the movie).
Ann W. Moore, Schenectady County Public Library, NY
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"An anthology of essays by scholars representing various perspectives and interpretation of the novel. The book(s) provides criticism and discussions of meaning, structure, and the historical content...as well as biographical information. It is organized in such a way that will give students a plethora of information in a largely accessible format. Each chapter heading is annotated, giving readers a chance to sample the content of the essays. Furthermore, each selection is introduced with background biographical data on the essay's author alongwith a summary of the content and the particular point of view represented. A reader-friendly and comprehensive resouce for students and teachers of world literature."
-- School Library Journal ( November 2001) (School Library Journal 20011015)

"A valuable resource."
-- School Library Journal (May 2002) (School Library Journal )

"And for literary support, Greenhaven's series Literary Companions has become a standard in many schools and public libraries, thanks to its thoughtful questions and analysis."
-- Booklist (October 2001) (Booklist )

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Greenhaven Press; 1 edition (April 24, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0737706945
• ISBN-13: 978-0737706949
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.2 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,859,992 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)