A-Z Literature & Authors

By Esther Lombardi, About.com Guide to Classic Literature

When you explore literature and authors, you are embarking on one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. Discover the origins of literature; find out about themes, genres, and subjects. Also, find out about periods and movements, as well as theory and criticism. Read about literature and authors from around the world.

1. A-to-Z Writers: Novelists, Story Writers, Essayists & Poets
2. A-to-Z Characters - Who Was It? - Names in Literature
3. A-to-Z Titles: Books, Plays, Poems, & Stories
4. Quotes / Quotations

5. Periods Movements Topics - Find Literature
6. Genres, Themes & Topics
7. Literary History

A-to-Z Writers: Novelists, Story Writers, Essayists & Poets

Read about writers from around the world, with an A-to-Z listings, listings by countries, and more. Also find profiles and biographies for poets, novelists, essayists, and other writers in literary history.

• A-to-Z Writers - By Last Name
• Writers By Genre
• Writers By Country/Language

• Writers By Time Period/Chronology
• Writer Profiles
• Women Writers

A-to-Z Characters - Who Was It? - Names in Literature

Who is the main character? What are his/her character traits? Who are the supporting characters? Why are these characters important? How do they interact? Read more about characters in literature.

• A-to-Z Characters
• Character Types
• How to Keep Track of Characters

A-to-Z Titles: Books, Plays, Poems, & Stories

Here, you"ll find an overview of resources related to literature, with specific reference to titles of poems, novels, short stories, plays, and other works. Read more about books and literature!

• Genres, Themes & Topics
• Collections
• A-to-Z Titles

Quotes / Quotations

What do the great writers have to say about your topic of study? Find out.

• Author Quotes
• Drama Quotes
• Nonfiction Quotes
• Novel Quotes

Periods Movements Topics - Find Literature

Find out about literature from the Renaissance, Medieval times, the Metaphysical poets, and beyond.

• Bloombury Group
• Cavalier poets
• Colonialism - Colonial Lit.
• Enlightenment
• Existentialism
• Gothic
• Harlem Renaissance

• Irish Renaissance
• Lake Poets
• Lost Generation
• Medieval - Old & Middle English
• Metaphysical Poets
• Modernism - Modern Literature

Genres, Themes & Topics

If you're looking for a book about death, love, or other themes, read through the listings here! Also, find books by genre: mystery, biography, nature books, novels, short stories, and much more!

• By Genre
• By Subject
• By Theme

Literary History

Explore the history of literature, from around the world and through the ages. Discover details about periods and movements, and find timeline and chronologies.

• Centuries in Literature
• History of Books
• Writer Chronologies
• Periods & Movements