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Minority & Alternative Literature Resources
Here we focus on resources about historically marginalized groups, including:
- racial and ethnic minorities
- post-colonial authors
- gay and lesbian writers
To find resources on minority and alternative literature,
- Use a General Search of our collection for books, articles, videos, and more.
- Search specifically for works of literature.
- Search for literary criticism.
- Or try a specialized journal database to find scholarly articles.
Include a population and a genre or theme of interest in your search. For example:
- postcolonial fiction
- african american drama
- gay lesbian poetry
Browse the reference sources below to find author biographies, work summaries, overviews of literature topics, and more.
Resources in Other Guides
- Women's Literature in Women's Studies
- American Indian Literature in American Indian Studies
Online Reference Sources
Lesbian Histories and Cultures: An Encyclopedia by Call Number: View Ebook Reference HQ75.5 .L4395 2000Explore lesbian literature and authors, film, theater, theory, and more. See the Subject Guide on p. XLVII for places to start.
Print Reference Sources
The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Multiethnic American Literature by Call Number: Reference PS153.M56 G74 2005 v.1–5This comprehensive set covers authors, works, genres, ethnic stereotypes, and the writings of particular groups, such as African American Gay Literature and Iranian American Literature. See the Guide to Related Topics in v. 1, p. xxiii, for places to start.
Latino and Latina Writers by Call Number: Reference PS153.H56 L39 2004 v.1–2Explore the lives, works, and themes of writers with Hispanic ethnic origins. These in-depth essays include a bibliography of works and citations to criticism.
Encyclopedia of Latin American Literature by Call Number: Reference PQ7081.A1 E56 1997Look here for overviews and criticism of the writers, works, and topics of Latin American literature, with lists of selected works and further readings.
African-American Writers by Call Number: Reference PS153.N5 A344 2001 v. 1–2Publication Date: 2000-12-15Read in-depth essays on African American writers, including interpretation and criticism of their works, selected bibliographies, and suggestions for further reading.
The Columbia Guide to Contemporary African American Fiction by Call Number: Reference PS374.N4 D533 2005Find concise descriptions of the careers, works, and critical reception of contemporary African American writers.
African American Dramatists: An A to Z Guide by Call Number: Reference PS338.N4 A69 2004Explore African American playwrights, including a discussion of their major works and themes, critical reception, and suggested further readings.
The Companion to African Literatures by Call Number: Reference PR9340 .C65 2000Find entries on African writers, works, themes, genres, movements, theory, and languages. The Country-Author Guide on p. viii may be especially helpful.
Encyclopedia of Postcolonial Studies by Call Number: Reference PN849.U43 E53 2001This book contains entries on the key terms, concepts, theorists, national literatures, and more that relate to the impact of colonization on culture and identity.
A Resource Guide to Asian American Literature by Call Number: Reference PS153.A84 R47 2001These essays focus on novels and plays by Asian Americans: overviews, author biographies, historical context, themes, popular and critical reception, comparative works, and more.
Gay Histories and Cultures: An Encyclopedia by Call Number: Reference HQ75.13 .G37 2000Find information on a range of topics related to gay life, including literature and authors, film, theater, queer theory, and more. See the Subject Guide starting on p. XXXIX for places to start.