What many critics call the third wave of the Southern Renaissance has produced a number of impressive women writers, notably in the novel and short story genres. The contemporary Southern women writers selected for inclusion range from those who are well-established, for example, Gail Godwin, Shirley Ann Grau, Lee Smith, and Alice Walker, to those, such as Jill McCorkle and Sylvia Wilkinson, whose reputations are still being built. In twenty-eight chapters, each devoted to a specific writer, the authors of this book list, summarize, and evaluate relevant books and essays, as well as significant reviews and interviews, and, in some cases, useful newspaper stories. In a separate section, over ninety critical works of major importance in women's studies and in the study of Southern literature are similarly noted. Christopher J. Canfield's introduction explains the authors' rationale and includes additional bibliographical suggestions. Written in clear, non-technical language, this book is an important tool for students of contemporary literature.
