Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama

by X.J. Kennedy, Dana Gioia

Literature, 9/e, the most popular introduction of its kind, is organized into three genres¤Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. As in past editions, the authors' collective poetic voice brings personal warmth and a human perspective to the discussion of literature, adding to students' interest in the readings. An introduction to a balance of contemporary and classic stories, poems, and plays. Casebooks offer in-depth look at an author or clusters of works, for example “Latin American Poetry. Authors Joe Kennedy and Dana Gioia provide inviting and illuminating introductions to the authors included and to the elements of literature. Coverage of writing about literature is also included. For those interested in literature.

Genres: Textbooks, Reference, Poetry, Nonfiction

2368 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Scott Holstad · Rating 5 out of 5]

A textbook in which I'm an included literary critic through a number of these series, editions, etc., this being one of them. Recommended for anyone wanting a damn good literary textbook anthology.

[Windy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a bit in love with this book right now. So many of the plays or short stories I had planned on teaching next year are included, making my life so much easier. And, after all, that's what a textbook is supposed to do, right? What a novel concept!

I enjoy the variety in the literature selections, even the poetry. For example, here's what I'm getting out of parenthood thanks to this anthology:

For My Daughter
by Weldon Kees

Looking into my daughter's eyes I read
Beneath the innocence of morning flesh
Concealed, hintings of death she does not heed.
Coldest of winds have blown this hair, and mesh
Of seaweed snarled these miniatures of hands;
The night's slow poison, tolerant and bland,
Has moved her blood. Parched years that I have seen
That may be hers appear: foul, lingering
Death in certain war, the slim legs green.
Or, fed on hate, she relishes the sting
Of others' agony; perhaps the cruel
Bride of a syphilitic or a fool.
These speculations sour in the sun.
I have no daughter. I desire none.

Carnation Milk
Anonymous

Carnation Milk is the best in the land;
Here I sit with a can in my hand--
No tits to pull, no hay to pitch,
You just punch a hole in the son of a bitch.

Ahhhh. I can't wait for AP now! And the Kees poem is my new favorite.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so glad to be finished with this book! Not because it was bad, but because it took me so long to read through. It’s part of a literature textbook of course. It’s full of many plays and an entire section on Shakespeare. I really enjoyed A Dolls House, Death of a Salesman and The Cuban Swimmer.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great selections of classic and contemporary short stories and poetry.