The American West of myth and legend has always exerted a strong hold on the popular imagination, and the essays in Reading the West examine some of the basis of that fascination. Reading the West, first published in 1996, is a collection of critical essays by writers, independent scholars and critics on the literature of the American West in the last two centuries. It showcases new ways of reading and understanding western writing. Arguing for the importance of 'place' in literature, these essays explore what makes representative literary works 'western'. They also explore the multicultural and ecological dimensions of western writing. This volume helps enrich our understanding of a distinguished body of literary work which has sometimes been unjustly ignored. It deals not only with literature but with the changing conception of the West in the American imagination.

A 1996 collection of essays exploring western American literature and the West in the American imagination.
Reviews
"The pleasure of reading this collection is perhaps surpassed only by the erudition of its contributors....Readers who enjoy anything from the mysteries of Tony Hillerman to the stunning landscapes of Albert Bierstadt will find the revisionary critical readings of these essays exciting and thought provoking." American Literature
"The writing is readable and strong throughout. Valuable selected bibliography. Highly recommended..." L. Evers, Choice
"...a useful, much needed, and provacative collection of essays dealing with the American West." Western American Literature



Book Information
ISBN 9780521565592
Author Michael Kowalewski
Format Paperback
Page Count 320
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 400g
Dimensions(mm) 230mm * 152mm * 18mm