The Cambridge Companion to the Literature of the American West

This book treats the word literature in the broadest terms and it deals with it in a way that relates to works both about the American West and/or from the West of America. Thus, it includes comment upon writings in the form of letters, essays, sketches, travelogues, newspaper articles, novels, poetry and drama. Even graphic novels and movies come briefly within its purview.

Since most of the chapters are historical studies, the meaning of the term “west” also has a range of meanings. Within the geography and history of the North American continent, the term has represented the beyond, the...