Common Knowledge A Reader's Guide to Literary Allusions

Subjects:

• Literature » Critical Theory

Reviews:

• In his introduction, compiler Grote apologizes `to the Dickensians, the Janeites, the Proustians, the Holmesians, and the Shakespearians' for the brevity of his entries, sure to disappoint these die-hard fans of a single author. He need not, however, apologize to the general readers for whom his book is intended as a source for learning the significance of more than 4,000 names they might encounter. They are the names of historical persons, biblical personages, and mythical and literary characters. The entries are brief but adequately explain the person's origins in fact or literature.
  —Wilson Library Bulletin
• An aptly titled book that presents, from a staggering range of fields (e.g., mythology, religion, literature, history), names that `reasonably well-educated persons might be expected to know.' . . . Included are figures who are common subjects or who have made their way into catch phrases or character types (e.g. Lothario). A good source for home or public libraries. . .
  —Choice

Table of Contents:

• Introduction
• Literary Allusions, A-Z