New Worlds of Literature: Writings from America's Many Cultures (Second Edition) [Paperback]

Jerome Beaty (Editor), J. Paul Hunter (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0393963543 | ISBN-13: 978-0393963540 | Publication Date: February 17, 1994 | Edition: Second Edition

An introduction to literature and also a text for courses in composition, multicultural, or contemporary American literature.

Contemporary, Cross-Cultural, American Writing. With 28 stories, 30 essays and autobiographical narratives, 90 poems , and 6 plays, New Worlds of Literature, Second Edition, Brings together vibrant new Writing that reflects the diverse ethnic, cultural, and social worlds of North America and the Caribbean today. Among the many writers new to the Second Edition are Julia Alvarez, Sandra Cisneros, Judith Ortiz Cofer, Tato Laviera, David Leavitt, Derek Walcott, and John  Edgar Wideman.

A Strengthened Connection between Reading and Writing. Nine student papers, a new section on writing about literature, an abundance of writing topics and study questions, thematic chapter introductions, and Afterwords on the elements of literature together guide students toward careful reading and thoughtful writing.

Instructor's Guide This handy guide, by Carolina Hospital, Miami-Dade Community College, and Carlos Medina, includes suggestions for activities and writing topics, discussions of each selection in the text, teaching strategies, and sample syllabi. Available to instructors upon request.

Voices of New Worlds Video This video of three writers reading from their work—Agha Shahid Ali, Judith Ortiz Cofer, and Alberto Alvaro Ríos—brings the selections in New Worlds of Literature, Second Edition, to life in your classroom. Available upon adoption.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jerome Beaty (Ph.D., Illinois) is Professor of English at Emory University.  He is the author of Middlemarch: From Notebook to Novel and Misreading Jane Eyre and coeditor, with J. Paul Hunter, of The Norton Introduction to Literature.


J. Paul Hunter is Barbara E. and Richard J. Franke Professor Emeritus at the University of Chicago. He is the author of The Reluctant Pilgrim: Defoe’s Emblematic Method and Quest for Form in Robinson Crusoe; Occasional Form: Henry Fielding and the Chains of Circumstance; and Before Novels: The Cultural Contexts of Eighteenth-Century English Fiction. He is author of the first nine editions of The Norton Introduction to Poetry and the long-time co-editor of The Norton Introduction to Literature and New Worlds of Literature.

Product Details

• Paperback: 980 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; Second Edition edition (February 17, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393963543
• ISBN-13: 978-0393963540
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #125,210 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Literature from America's many ethnic groups, January 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: New Worlds of Literature: Writings from America's Many Cultures (Second Edition) (Paperback)

I have used this book for several years as a text in Composition classes. I even used it in writing classes in Africa. It's a "multicultural" text. The wonderful choices (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama) show that no matter who you are, you can use the powerful tool of the English language to write about your own experiences. Seems obvious, but perhaps not. Great writing suggestions, too, just about a perfect book. It's too expensive, of course. But in the end, worth it. I wish they'd come out with a third edition!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Contemporary Literature Book, August 6, 2007

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Trilogy Poetry Review "Joseph S. Spence, Sr.,... (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: New Worlds of Literature: Writings from America's Many Cultures (Second Edition) (Paperback)

What I like about this book is the diversity it offers in terms of the authors published in the book. It is very much appreciated reading about contemporary authors who are Native-Americans, African-Americans, Mexican-Americans, Asian-Americans, and the like. Their views and writings certainly have added a diverse perspective to the world of literature. The poems, short stories, essays, and fictional drama pieces in the book open a new dimension and perspective in literature. The writings are refreshing and stimulating. They are closely related to reality and allow the imaginative spirit to expand and create specific imagery to go with selected pieces in the book. The instructive portion of the text is wonderful. Each chapter starts with an introduction and insight of what is to come. It breaks down the reading in such a way that the understanding is clear and unambiguous. The variety of exercises following each chapter allows for new perspectives, discussions, visions, and interpretations. This is an excellent book to read. Other excellent books to read are: "Trilogy Moments for the Mind, Body and Soul" with the new Epulaeryu poetry form; "The Language of Poetry Forms" by Tree Good; and, "Everyday Miracles" by Margaret Okubo.