A dictionary of stylistics /

Wales's dictionary of terms related to the study of textual analysis lists more than 600 words and phrases. Although titled a dictionary, its entries are lengthy, and contain many references to other definitions. Most entries also contain references to works for further reading, and the list of references is appended. Frequently more than one related phrase is treated in the same entry (e.g., generic, generic meaning, generic proposition, and generic statement). Entries range from several sentences to two pages in length. The author (University London) indicates references to other definitions by using small capital letters. If the abbreviation "q.v." follows the small captials, the phrase is directly related to that being defined. A phrase that appears in italic capitals is related to the study of stylistics, but is not defined in the dictionary. This way of indicating related terms varies from most standard sources, and is slightly confusing. It would have been preferable to use the standard "see also" reference for directly related terms and capital letters for those not related but defined in the book, and to omit the italic capitals altogether. Nevertheless, the dictionary supplements such standard sources as C.H. Holman's Handbook to Literature (5th ed., Mar '87); and like Gerald Prince's Dictionary of Narratology (CH, Sep '88), it helps define the still evolving study of language and literature. Useful in most college and university collections. -J. M. Parker, St. Olaf College