Overview

As interest in environmental issues grows, many writers of fiction have embraced themes that explore the connections between humans and the natural world. Ecologically themed fiction ranges from profound philosophical meditations to action-packed entertainments. """"Where the Wild Books Are"""" offers an overview of nearly 2,000 works of nature-oriented fiction. The author includes a discussion of the precursors and history of the genre, and of its expansion since the 1970s. He also considers its forms and themes, as well as the subgenres into which it has evolved, such as speculative fiction, ecodefense, animal stories, mysteries, ecofeminist novels, cautionary tales, and others. In this title, a brief summary and critical commentary of each title is included. Dwyer's scope is broad and covers fiction by Native American writers as well as ecofiction from writers around the world. Far more than a mere listing of books, """"Where the Wild Books Are"""" is a lively introduction to a vast universe of engaging, provocative writing. It can be used to develop book collections or curricula. It also serves as an introduction to one of the most fertile areas of contemporary fiction, presenting books that will offer enjoyable reading and new insights into the vexing environmental questions of our time.

Full Product Details

9780874178111

Table of Contents

Reviews

Dwyer has performed an invaluable service with his Field Guide, and anyone seriously interested in green literature will need to keep it handy on a reference shelf. -- Western American Literature This work will be an invaluable reference for those interested in the emerging study of ecological and environmental themes in literature. -- Reference Reviews It is a pleasure and a challenge to go through this field guide, finding old friends, and above all, many new suggestions for reading. - The Journal of Ecocriticism Dwyer's Where the Wilds Books Are offers a veritable cornucopia of literary fruit to satisfy any reader's narrative palate. - The Goose Jim Dwyer s book is proof positive that fiction is stranger and often more interesting than facts. This is a must-have item for any eco-reference collection. -- Fred Stoss, chair of the Task Force on the Environment, American Library Association Dwyer s suggestive, provocative field guide does exactly what one would expect from such a work it makes us want to read more, to read the actual literary texts. With prompts and prods rather than traditional analysis and arguments Where the Wild Books Are inspires readers to explore the work of authors they may never have encountered before and to consider new dimensions of environmental literature. The book is rich with advice. -- Scott Slovic, author of Going Away to Think: Engagement, Retreat, and Ecocritical Responsibility There is not and will not be anything else like this book on the market, and no one will attempt to imitate it, given its range and scope. It will prove an invaluable reference book, not only for libraries to own but also for serious ecocritics working with English-language texts around the world. -- Patrick D. Murphy, author of Farther Afield in the Study of Nature-Oriented Literature Dwyer has performed an invaluable service with his Field Guide, and anyone seriously interested in green literature will need to keep it handy on a reference shelf. -- Western American Literature This work will be an invaluable reference for those interested in the emerging study of ecological and environmental themes in literature. -- Reference Reviews It is a pleasure and a challenge to go through this field guide, finding old friends, and above all, many new suggestions for reading. - The Journal of Ecocriticism Dwyer's Where the Wilds Books Are offers a veritable cornucopia of literary fruit to satisfy any reader's narrative palate. - The Goose Jim Dwyer s book is proof positive that fiction is stranger and often more interesting than facts. This is a must-have item for any eco-reference collection. -- Fred Stoss, chair of the Task Force on the Environment, American Library Association Dwyer s suggestive, provocative field guide does exactly what one would expect from such a work it makes us want to read more, to read the actual literary texts. With prompts and prods rather than traditional analysis and arguments Where the Wild Books Are inspires readers to explore the work of authors they may never have encountered before and to consider new dimensions of environmental literature. The book is rich with advice. -- Scott Slovic, author of Going Away to Think: Engagement, Retreat, and Ecocritical Responsibility There is not and will not be anything else like this book on the market, and no one will attempt to imitate it, given its range and scope. It will prove an invaluable reference book, not only for libraries to own but also for serious ecocritics working with English-language texts around the world. -- Patrick D. Murphy, author of Farther Afield in the Study of Nature-Oriented Literature Dwyer's suggestive, provocative 'field guide' does exactly what one would expect from such a work--it makes us want to read more, to read the actual literary texts. With prompts and prods--rather than traditional analysis and arguments-- Where the Wild Books Are inspires readers to explore the work of authors they may never have encountered before and to consider new dimensions of environmental literature. The book is rich with advice. -- Scott Slovic, author of Going Away to Think: Engagement, Retreat, and Ecocritical Responsibility There is not and will not be anything else like this book on the market, and no one will attempt to imitate it, given its range and scope. It will prove an invaluable reference book, not only for libraries to own but also for serious ecocritics working with English-language texts around the world. -- Patrick D. Murphy, author of Farther Afield in the Study of Nature-Oriented Literature Jim Dwyer's book is proof positive that fiction is stranger and often more interesting than facts. This is a must-have item for any eco-reference collection. -- Fred Stoss, chair of the Task Force on the Environment, American Library Association

<p> Dwyer's suggestive, provocative 'field guide' does exactly what one would expect from such a work--it makes us want to read more, to read the actual literary texts. With prompts and prods--rather than traditional analysis and arguments-- Where the Wild Books Are inspires readers to explore the work of authors they may never have encountered before and to consider new dimensions of environmental literature. The book is rich with advice. -- Scott Slovic, author of Going Away to Think: Engagement, Retreat, and Ecocritical Responsibility <br>

Author Information

Jim Dwyer is bibliographic services librarian at California State University, Chico. He is also the author of Earth Works: Recommended Fiction and Nonfiction About Nature and the Environment for Adults and Young Adults.

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