Critical Companion to Eugene O'Neill

January 1, 2010
Eugene ONeill is the only American dramatist to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. He also won four Pulitzer Prizes throughout his career, one posthumously. Written by an ONeill scholar for a broad audience, this work is meant to reproduce the life and drama of the playwright in a sustained dialogue with nearly five generations of ONeill critics, scholars, fellow dramatists, friends, and family members. Following the structure of other titles in the publishers Critical Companion series, this one begins with a biography, followed by AZ coverage of ONeills works. Next comes a dictionary of Related People, Places, and Topics. Appendixes contain a chronology of ONeills life and bibliographies of works by and about the writer. Entries on ONeills works are detailed; nearly 30 pages are devoted to The Iceman Cometh, for example. Each entry contains some background on the writing of the play as well as a synopsis, commentary, character descriptions, and a bibliography for further reading. Cross-references often refer to the Related People, Places, and Topics section. Black-and-white photographs, many of them from stage productions, are scattered throughout the text. These volumes are wonderfully organized and very easy to use. They would be very appropriate for libraries catering to a high-school and undergraduate audience. Entries are of a length to provide a good background of ONeills works and life. Also available as an e-book.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)