Women and World Literature: Anthologies in Translation (Kruse, 1992)

This bibliography is number 61 in the series “Wisconsin Bibliographies in Women’s Studies” published by the University of Wisconsin System Women’s Studies Librarian’s Office, 430 Memorial Library, 728 State Street, Madison, WI 53706; 608-263-5754; email: the Women’s Studies Librarian.

WOMEN AND WORLD LITERATURE: BIBLIOGRAPHY OF ANTHOLOGIES OF WOMEN’S LITERATURE IN TRANSLATION

This bibliography spotlights anthologies of women’s writing translated into English. Included are anthologies with a global, national or regional focus, as well as bibliographies of translated works. Works of criticism are only included if they contain a substantial amount of translation. Anthologies containing selections originally written in English are included if the focus of the collection is international. The arrangement is alphabetical by title within general geographical regions. All collections which have been examined include brief descriptive annotations, but no attempt has been made to evaluate the quality of the translations. In order to be as comprehensive as possible, citations for works unavailable for examination have been included without annotations.

Bibliographies

JAPANESE WOMEN WRITERS IN ENGLISH TRANSLATION: AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY. By Claire Zebroski Mamola. New York: Garland, 1989. 469p.

This extensive reference work includes citations of novels and short stories, as well as some non-fiction works in translation, but does not cover poetry or books for young children. Women writers from the Heian period (794-1185) are grouped in one section, while fiction and non-fiction from the nineteenth century through 1987 are grouped separately. Includes sections on specialized works (i.e. bibliographies, proceedings), dissertations, and articles from the periodical AMPO. An introduction provides cultural background.

LATIN AMERICAN WOMEN WRITERS IN TRANSLATION: A BIBLIOGRAPHY. By Graciela N.V. Corvalan. (Latin America Bibliography Series, no. 9) Los Angeles: Latin American Studies Center, 1980. 109p.

Designed to be a comprehensive bibliography, it includes translations of works both by and about women writers. Divided into four sections: Reference material; Anthologies and the anthology code for reference throughout the rest of the bibliography; General bibliography of critical works about women writers; and the alphabetical listing by author with all of her works available in translation.

WOMEN WRITERS IN TRANSLATION: AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY, 1945-1982. By Margery Resnick and Isabelle de Courtivron. New York: Garland, 1984. 272p.

The editors of each language section provide an introduction with a discussion of criteria for inclusion, methodology and special situations of that particular language group. Bibliographical references are included. Each author is given a brief description, and the annotations often give information on the quality of the translation. Although a few anthologies are cited, most of the works are those of single authors.

International Anthologies

A BOOK OF WOMEN POETS: FROM ANTIQUITY TO NOW. Edited by Aliki Barnstone and Willis Barnstone. New York: Schocken Books, 1980. 612p.

Over 200 poets writing in over 50 languages are presented in this extensive collection of poetry. In addition, there are representative poets writing in English, but the main scope of this anthology is international. Arranged chronologically within each language group, with brief biographical information on each author provided. Includes indexes of poets, first lines and titles, and translators.

AIN’T I A WOMAN: POEMS BY BLACK AND WHITE WOMEN. Edited by Illona Linthwaite. London: Virago, 1987. 195p.

A selection of more than 150 poems from all over the world and throughout history. This anthology does include many poems originally in English, but there are also a great number of translated poems and an international basis for the collection. Originally presented in dialogue as a play by Linthwaite, she re-ordered the poems for publication so that the poetic voice moves from youth to old age. Includes biographical notes on the authors arranged alphabetically at the end.

LONGMAN ANTHOLOGY OF LITERATURE BY WOMEN: 1875-1975. Edited by Marian Arkin and Barbara Shollar. New York: Longman, 1989. 1274p.

The selections of poetry and prose are arranged chronologically by the author’s date of birth in this extensive international collection. Substantial biographical notes supplied for each author, and nineteen essays with bibliographies on the women’s literary traditions of each region provided. Over 275 authors are represented and there is an index by general region in addition to an author/title index. The introduction discusses the idea of a women’s international literary canon as well as the scope and content of this anthology.

THE OTHER VOICE: TWENTIETH-CENTURY WOMEN’S POETRY IN TRANSLATION. Edited by Joanna Bankier, Carol Cosman, Doris Earnshaw, Joan Keefe, Deirdre Lashgari, and Kathleen Weaver. Foreword by Adrienne Rich. New York: Norton, 1976. 218p.

This collection presents poems from thirty-eight countries and thirty-one languages, with the intent of showing the wide range of women’s poetic voices throughout the world. Divided into sections by subject: Being a woman; Women and men; Meditations; Speaking for others; Visions. Includes biographical notes with selected bibliography, and an index.

PENGUIN BOOK OF WOMEN POETS. Edited by Carol Cosman, Joan Keefe and Kathleen Weaver. London: Penguin Books, 1978. 399p.

An international anthology of women poets from the ancient world to the present, arranged by historical period. Includes some poets writing originally in English, but in small proportion to the translated works. The preface discusses the criteria for inclusion and the intent of the anthology to present a cross-cultural context for a comparative view of women’s poetry. Brief biographical sketches precede each poet, and there is an author index.

PLAYS BY WOMEN: AN INTERNATIONAL ANTHOLOGY. Edited by Francoise Kourilsky and Catherine Temerson. Ubu Repertory Theater Publications, 1988. 249p. Five plays by contemporary French-speaking women playwrights from different cultural backgrounds: Denise Bonal (Algeria); Michele Fabien (Belgium); Abla Farhoud (Lebanon and Quebec); Fatima Gallaire-Bourega (Algeria and France); Simone Schwarz-Bart (Guadeloupe and France). Biographical notes provided preceding each play, with notes on the translators and information on the premiers.

Asia

BAMBOO SHOOTS AFTER THE RAIN: CONTEMPORARY STORIES BY WOMEN WRITERS OF TAIWAN. Edited by Ann C. Carver and Sung-Sheng Yvonne Chang. New York: Feminist Press, 1990. 264p.

The fourteen authors are presented in three groups by generation. The preface discusses criteria for inclusion in the anthology and there is a critical introduction by Sung- Sheng Yvonne Chang. Includes the essay, “Can one read cross-culturally?” by Ann C. Carver. Biographical notes introduce each author’s story, and there are extensive bibliographies.

THE BURNING HEART: WOMEN POETS OF JAPAN. Translated and edited by Kenneth Rexroth and Ikuko Atsumi. New York: Seabury Press, 1977. 184p.

Approximately 175 poets are represented in this collection which ranges from the seventh century to the present. Divided into groups by time period and genre. Biographical notes provided at the end as well as an historical survey of Japanese women poets and a table of historical periods. The Japanese characters of each poet’s name is presented in calligraphy preceding the selected poems.

CHINESE WOMEN WRITERS: A COLLECTION OF SHORT STORIES BY CHINESE WOMEN WRITERS OF THE 1920s AND 30s. Translated by Jennifer Anderson and Theresa Munford. Hong Kong: Joint Publishing Co., 1985. 180p.

The introduction presents an historical framework for this short fiction written during the beginnings of the women’s liberation movement in China. Includes biographical material about each of the ten women authors.

CONTEMPORARY WOMEN WRITERS: HONG KONG AND TAIWAN. Edited by Eva Hung. (Renditions paperbacks) Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong: Research Centre for Translation, Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1991.

The authors included are all middle-aged women who have received modern, western educations, and who came into literary prominence in the early to mid-1980’s. The introduction includes information on the authors and discusses the dominance of women writers in Chinese fiction of the 1980’s. Biographical notes and sometimes a photograph precede each selection.

THE INK DARK MOON: LOVE POEMS BY ONO NO KOMACHI AND IZUMI SHIKIBU, WOMEN OF THE ANCIENT COURT OF JAPAN. Translated by Jane Hirschfield with Mariko Aratani. New York: Scribner’s, 1988. 116p.

Biographical information about the two authors is given in the introduction as well as a discussion of the environment of the Heian court which encouraged the writing by women. The translations of the five-line poems (originally thirty-one syllable waka verses) are presented one per page with occasional explanatory notes.

JAPANESE WOMEN WRITERS: TWENTIETH CENTURY SHORT FICTION. Edited by Norika Mizuta Lippit and Kyoko Iriye Selden. Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe, 1991.

KOREAN LOVE POEMS. Translated by Howard Levy. (East Asian poetry in translation series: Vol. II) South Pasadena, CA: Langstaff Publications, 1976. 170p.

The translations of 170 traditional Chinese poems written by Korean women are published side by side with the original Chinese characters. Levy offers a brief interpretive introduction, but no names or information about the poets are given.

THE MUSE OF CHINA: A COLLECTION OF PROSE AND SHORT STORIES. By contemporary Chinese women writers. Taipei, Taiwan: Chinese Women Writers Association, 1974. 235p. Each author is introduced with a photograph and brief biographical information. The collection includes eighteen authors and a variety of translators.

THE MUSE OF CHINA, VOL. II: A COLLECTION OF PROSE AND SHORT STORIES. By contemporary Chinese women writers. Taipei, Taiwan: Chinese Women Writers Association, 1978. 208p.

This second collection follows the same format as the first volume, with the addition of the original Chinese text of the works by these nine authors.

ONE HALF OF THE SKY: SELECTION FROM CONTEMPORARY WOMEN WRITERS OF CHINA. Translated by R.A. Roberts and Angela Knox, with an introduction by Frances Wood. London: Heinemann, 1987. 143p.

Eight authors are represented in this selection designed to illustrate the range of twentieth-century Chinese women’s writing. Autobiographical notes provided at the end, along with citations of other translations of Chinese women’s fiction.

THE ORCHID BOAT: WOMEN POETS OF CHINA. Translated and edited by Kenneth Rexroth and Ling Chung. New York: McGraw- Hill, 1972. 150p.

One hundred and twenty poems by fifty-four poets are compiled in this collection. Includes at the end: notes to the poems; an essay titled, “Chinese Women and Literature – A Brief Survey” by Ling Chung; a table of Chinese historical periods; and a bibliography. Decorative calligraphy by Kao T’ai.

RABBITS, CRABS, ETC.: STORIES BY JAPANESE WOMEN. Translated by Phyllis Birnbaum. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1982. 147p.

Prose selections by six twentieth-century authors preceded by biographical notes. The preface offers an historical view of Japanese women’s literature and a explanation of the criteria for inclusion.

RICE BOWL WOMEN: WRITINGS BY AND ABOUT WOMEN OF CHINA AND JAPAN. Edited with an introduction and notes by Dorothy Blair Shimer. New York: New American Library, 1982. 390p.

Presented chronologically for each country, these Chinese and Japanese authors’ selections offer a wide range of women’s experiences from two cultures where the rice bowl is a traditional symbol of womanhood. The introduction provides a cultural context for the prose, and each time period is introduced with historical notes. The collection is mostly writings by women, but does include some works by men about women. Brief biographical information precedes each author and there is an extensive bibliography of works in English about women of China and Japan.

THE ROSE COLORED DINNER: NEW WORKS BY CONTEMPORARY CHINESE WOMEN WRITERS. Translated by Nienling Liu, et al.; preface by Sylvia Berkman. Hong Kong: Joint Publishing, 1988. 166p.

Nine women’s prose selections written since 1979 are presented in this collection. The preface discusses the thematic ideas of the literature, and the introduction explores the problems inherent with the translating process. Brief biographical notes provided at the end, along with an appendix for pronunciation of the Chinese phonetic alphabet.

SEVEN CONTEMPORARY CHINESE WOMEN WRITERS. Beijing, China: Chinese Literature; Distributed by China Publications Centre, 1982. 280p.

STORIES BY CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE WOMEN WRITERS. Translated and edited by Noriko Mizuta Lippit and Kyoko Iriye Selden. New York: M. E. Sharpe, 1982. 221p.

The editors selected these twelve authors’ short stories to show characteristics of women writers’ participation in the aesthetic and intellectual development of modern Japanese literature. The historical context of women writers in Japan’s literary history is discussed in the introduction, and biographical notes about the authors are provided at the end.

THIS KIND OF WOMAN: TEN STORIES BY JAPANESE WOMEN WRITERS, 1960-1976. Edited by Yukiko Tanaka and Elizabeth Hanson. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 1982. 287p.

Short fiction by ten authors with an introduction by Yukiko Tanaka which examines the role of women writers in modern Japan in relation to the historical status of Japanese women. All ten stories were written since 1960, and are presented in chronological order by publication date. Biographical notes precede each author’s selection.

THREE WOMEN POETS OF MODERN JAPAN: A BOOK OF TRANSLATIONS. By Glenn Hughes and Yozan T. Iwasaki. (University of Washington Chapbooks, no. 9) Seattle: University of Washington Book Store, 1927. 43p.

About thirty poems are presented in translation by each of these poets: Akiko Yosano, Akiko Yanagiwara (White Lotus), and Takeko Kojo. An introduction explains the form of “tanka” and “hokku” poetry, and biographical notes precede the authors’ selections.

TO LIVE AND TO WRITE: SELECTIONS BY JAPANESE WOMEN WRITERS, 1913-1938. Edited by Yukiko Tanaka. Seattle, WA: Seal Press, 1987. 225p.

Focusing on a time in Japan’s history when women were finding a new strength and individualism, Tanaka compiles ten narratives by nine authors which include feminist themes and represent this age of political liberalism. Each author is introduced with a photo and substantial biographical notes. Includes a general introduction to the collection and notes on the editor and translators.

TRUTH TALES: CONTEMPORARY WRITING BY INDIAN WOMEN. Edited by Kali for Women. New Dehli: Kali for Women, 1986 (1987 printing). 207p.

Seven authors writing in seven different original languages are presented in this edition. Geographically and chronologically varied, these stories represent a wide range of women’s experiences. Short biographical notes on each author are provided at the end along with a glossary of terms.

TRUTH TALES: CONTEMPORARY STORIES BY WOMEN WRITERS OF INDIA. Edited by Kali for Women; introduction by Meena Alexander. New York: Feminist Press, 1990. 179p.

This newly released 1990 edition includes an introduction by Meena Alexander, with updated biographical information on the authors.

TRUTH TALES 2: THE SLATE OF LIFE. Edited by Kali for Women. London: The Women’s Press, 1991. (Originally published as A SLATE OF LIFE, New Dehli: Kali for Women, 1990). 176p.

UNMAPPED TERRITORIES: NEW WOMEN’S FICTION FROM JAPAN. Edited and translated by Yukiko Tanaka. Seattle, WA: Women in Translation, 1991. 163p.

This is the third anthology compiled and translated by Tanaka, who writes in the introduction that the 1980’s were years of transition at home, at the workplace, and in society in Japan. The collection contains all recently published works by seven authors, reflecting the experiences resulting from this “era of woman” in Japan.

WOMEN POETS OF INDIA: AN ANTHOLOGY OF INDIAN POETRY. Edited by Pranab Bandyopadhyay. Calcutta: United Writers, 1977. 78p.

Eighteen poets from the late nineteenth century to the present are represented in this collection. Brief biographical sketches (with many typographical errors) provided at the end, but no introduction or citation information provided.

WOMEN WRITING IN INDIA: 600 B.C. TO THE PRESENT. VOL. I: 600 B.C. TO THE EARLY TWENTIETH CENTURY. Edited by Susie Tharu and K. Lalita. New York: Feminist Press, 1991. 537p.

The works are arranged chronologically by historical period. The preface describes the compilation of the anthology, and there is an extensive bibliography of fiction and criticism available in English. Includes an appendix on pronunciation of authors’ names and titles of works, and an index. Vol. II will cover the twentieth century.

WORDS OF FAREWELL: STORIES BY KOREAN WOMEN WRITERS. By Kang Sok-Kyong, Kim Chi-won, and O Chong-hui; translated by Bruce and Ju-Chan Fulton. Seattle: Seal Press, 1989. 274p.

The anthology includes two stories by Kang Sok-Kyong (1951- ); two stories by Kim Chi-won (1943- ); and three stories by O Chong-hui (1947- ). The introduction gives an historical context for women writing in Korea and biographical information on the three authors. Includes notes on romanization of the Korean language at the end.

Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union

ALWAYS A WOMAN: STORIES BY SOVIET WOMEN WRITERS. Compiled by Nina Kupriyanova; designed by Alexander Anno. Moscow: Raduga Publishers, 1987. 407p.

Sixteen twentieth-century works of short fiction are presented in this collection. An essay by Yulia Drunina examines the common theme of grief found in Soviet literature since the destruction experienced during World War II and serves as an introduction to the anthology. A photograph and biographical notes on the author precede each selection. A

RIADNE’S THREAD: POLISH WOMEN POETS. Translated and introduced by Susan Bassnett and Piotr Kuhiwczak. (UNESCO Collection of Representative Works: European Series) London: Forest Books, 1988. 74p.

The table of contents includes the original language titles of the poems of the eight women included in this anthology. The introduction discusses a political as well as historical context for these poems, and a map of Poland is provided. Biographical notes and a photograph precede each author’s selections which are arranged chronologically by author’s date of birth.

BALANCING ACTS: CONTEMPORARY STORIES BY RUSSIAN WOMEN. Edited by Helena Goscilo. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1989.

Presents one selection from each of the nineteen authors included. The preface describes compiling the anthology, and the introduction provides critical commentary. Endnotes included, as well as biographical information with lists of works by each author in fiction, non-fiction, and in English translation.

RUSSIA ACCORDING TO WOMEN: LITERARY ANTHOLOGY. Compiled and with a preface by Marina Ledkovsky. Tenafly, NJ: Hermitage, 1991.

This is a translation of the Russian publication: Rossiia Glazami Zhenshchin, and is designed to accompany the original work, with parallel layout of the text to aid students of Russian. The works of thirteen authors are included and are arranged chronologically, covering the Soviet period of Russian history. Biographical notes provided at the end, followed by a short series of photographs of Russian life by Ksana Blank, Tanya Hull, and Juni Pierce.

RUSSIAN AND POLISH WOMEN’S FICTION. Translated and edited by Helena Goscilo. Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 1985. 343p.

At least two short works are presented for each of the eleven authors in this collection. A lengthy historical introduction with extensive notes opens the anthology, and the preface discusses criteria for inclusion. Substantial biographical and critical information precedes each author’s selections and explanatory endnotes are provided for each work.

SILENT VOICES: AN ANTHOLOGY OF ROMANIAN WOMEN POETS. Translated by Andrea Deletant and Brenda Walker with an introduction by Fleur Adcock. London: Forest Books, 1986. 161p.

Presents poems of fourteen contemporary women writers. The introduction discusses the individual qualities of Romanian poetry and the role of these women poets in the national literary tradition. A photograph and brief biographical notes provided for each poet.

SOVIET WOMEN WRITING: FIFTEEN SHORT STORIES. Introduction by I. Grekova. New York: Abbeville Press, 1990. 351p.

The introduction discusses the condition of women’s lives in the Soviet Union today, and the context out of which women’s writing comes. Includes illustrations by three Soviet women illustrators commissioned especially for this edition. Biographical notes on each author provided at the end.

THE TENDER MUSE: COLLECTION OF VERSE. Selected by Rimma Kazakova; translated by Walter May. Moscow: Progress Publishers, 1976. 160p.

Fifty-two twentieth-century poets are represented in this Soviet publication which was officially prepared for the western reader. The authors are arranged alphabetically, with brief biographical notes and a photograph provided. Translations are generally poor, but the collection does offer access to some of the literature of Soviet women.

THREE RUSSIAN POETS: MARGARITA ALIGER, YUNNA MORITZ, BELLA AKHMADULINA. Edited by Elaine Feinstein. Manchester, England: Carcanet New Press, 1979. 80p.

A selection of eight or nine poems from each author. The introduction gives biographical information on these twentieth-century poets as well as some historical context. Generally, little critical information is provided.

THREE RUSSIAN WOMEN POETS: ANNA AKHMATOVA, MARINA TSVETAYEVA, BELLA AKHMADULINA. Translated by Mary Maddock; introduction by Edward J. Brown. Trumansburg, NY: Crossing Press, 1983. 109p.

A photograph and biographical information precede the selections of each poet. A total of over forty poems are included, with notes at the end. Mary Maddock writes an introduction in addition to the one by Brown, each providing background information on the poets.

WOMEN WRITERS IN RUSSIAN MODERNISM: AN ANTHOLOGY. Translated and edited by Temira Pachmuss. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1978. 340p.

Samples of the poetry and prose of eight Russian women from the end of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The preface discusses the scope of the anthology, while the introduction offers a critical essay on Russian modernism and the role of these women within this literary movement. Each author is introduced with biographical information and a photograph. Some of the poems are also provided in the original language. Index included.

Latin America

BEYOND THE BORDER: A NEW AGE IN LATIN AMERICAN WOMEN’S FICTION. Edited by Nora Erro-Peralta and Caridad Silva- Nunez. Pittsburgh: Cleis Press, 1991. 224p.

Presents one short fiction work from each of the fourteen contemporary women writers included. There is a critical introduction and extensive bibliographies of other works, both fiction and non-fiction, by each author, with citations of criticism provided as well. Biographical notes precede each selection.

BRAZILIAN WOMEN WRITING. Translated, edited, and with an introduction by Darlene J. Sadlier. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 1992.

BREAKING THE SILENCES: AN ANTHOLOGY OF 20TH-CENTURY POETRY BY CUBAN WOMEN. Translated and edited by Margaret Randall. Vancouver, Canada: Pulp Press, 1982. Selections by twenty-five poets are presented in this bilingual anthology. Arranged into sections of three generations of women writing in Cuba. There is a substantial critical introduction with extensive notes, and each author is introduced with a photo, biographical notes, and excerpts from interviews with Margaret Randall.

CONTEMPORARY WOMEN AUTHORS OF LATIN AMERICA: NEW TRANSLATIONS. Edited by Doris Meyer and Margarita Fernandez Olmos. (Brooklyn College Humanities Institute Series) Brooklyn: Brooklyn College Press, 1983. 331p.

The selections of poetry, drama and prose by more than forty authors from all over Latin America are brought together in this anthology. Organized alphabetically by author within each genre, with biographical notes preceding each author’s selections. The original versions of the translated poems are provided in an appendix, followed by a select bibliography of works in English about Latin American women’s fiction, and notes on the translators and editors.

FERTILE RHYTHMS: CONTEMPORARY WOMEN POETS OF MEXICO. Selected and edited by Thomas Hoeksema; translated by Thomas Hoeksema and Romelia Enriquez. (Discoveries) Pittsburgh: Latin American Literary Review Press, 1989. 126p.

Twenty-two poets, all born since 1950, are presented in this bilingual collection. An introduction by Gabriel Zaid and a foreword by Mary Crow discuss this new generation of Mexican women poets. An alphabetical arrangement by author’s name with biographical notes on the writers provided at the end.

FIVE WOMEN WRITERS OF COSTA RICA: SHORT STORIES BY CARMEN NARANJO, EUNICE ODIO, YOLANDA OREAMUNO, VICTORIA URBANO, AND RIMA VALLBONA. Edited by Victoria Urbano. Beaumont, TX: Asociacion de Literatura Femenina Hispanica, 1978. 131p.

A brief introduction by the editor provides literary information on the five authors. Biographical notes precede the selections of each author, and there is a critical essay or two by a variety of scholars following the works. Notes on the collaborators at the end.

HISPANIC FEMINIST POEMS FROM THE MIDDLE AGES TO THE PRESENT: A BILINGUAL ANTHOLOGY. Edited and with an introduction by Angel Flores and Kate Flores. (The Defiant Muse) New York: The Feminist Press, 1986. 145p.

The original language poems are presented side by side with the translated versions in this collection of thirty- three women poets from the thirteenth century to the present. A critical introduction discusses the place of these Hispanic writers in history and their cultural backgrounds. Arranged chronologically by author’s date of birth, with biographical notes at the end.

LANDSCAPES OF A NEW LAND: SHORT FICTION BY LATIN AMERICAN WOMEN. Edited by Marjorie Agosin. Buffalo, NY: White Pine Press, 1989. 194p.

A collection of twenty-two short stories from ten countries arranged by the general images found within the works. The translated introduction by Marjorie Agosin gives background information for the selection of these works, and brief biographical notes on the authors and the translators are provided at the end.

LOVERS AND COMRADES: WOMEN’S RESISTANCE POETRY FROM CENTRAL AMERICA. Edited by Amanda Hopkinson, translated by Amanda Hopkinson and members of the El Salvador Solidarity Campaign Cultural Committee. London: The Women’s Press, 1989. 143p.

Forty-six poets are represented in this anthology which is organized into six sections based on the general themes of the poetry. The introduction describes the geographical and political context from which the women writers derive their Latin American identity, which is both shared and diverse. An alphabetical listing of the poets with biographical notes is provided at the end.

OPEN TO THE SUN: A BILINGUAL ANTHOLOGY OF LATIN-AMERICAN WOMEN POETS. Edited by Nora Jacquez Wieser. Van Nuys, CA: Perivale Press, 1979. 279p.

The translated poems of twenty-five twentieth-century poets are presented side by side with the original language versions. Wieser discusses in the introduction her intention of providing an anthology to help break the stereotype of Latin American women’s poetry as being nothing but sentimental. Biographical notes provided with lists of published books of poetry preceding each poet’s selections, with a bibliography of literary and critical works in English at the end.

OTHER FIRES: SHORT FICTION BY LATIN AMERICAN WOMEN. Edited by Alberto Manguel. New York: Clarkson N. Potter, 1986. 222p.

A preface by Isabel Allende and an introduction by the editor open this collection of nineteen women’s short prose selections. Short literary introductions provided for each author’s work, with brief biographical notes at the end.

POETISAS DE AMERICA. Compiled, translated and illustrated by Helen Wohl Patterson. Washington, D.C.: Mitchell Press, 1960. 219p.

This is a collection of translations by Helen Wohl Patterson, including poems originally written in English translated to Spanish and some of her own poetry in both languages. The prologue by Jesus Flores Aguirre is an appreciation of the talent of Patterson, and the entire book is bilingual. No biographical information on the poets included, but there are indexes by title, author, and country.

RECLAIMING MEDUSA: SHORT STORIES BY CONTEMPORARY PUERTO RICAN WOMEN. Edited and translated by Diana Velez. San Francisco: Spinsters/Aunt Lute, 1988. 161p.

Eleven works by five authors are represented in this anthology which includes two works in their original language as well. Includes a lengthy critical introduction, note from the translator, and a photograph with biographical information for each author.

SCENTS OF WOOD AND SILENCE: SHORT STORIES BY LATIN AMERICAN WOMEN WRITERS. Edited by Kathleen Ross and Yvette E. Miller; introduction by Kathleen Ross. (Discoveries) Pittsburgh, PA: Latin American Literary Review Press, 1991. 218p.

This collection includes one story from each of twenty- three authors, all published since 1980. The introduction discusses at length the nature of translation, and this compilation of works by internationally-known writers as well as authors less frequently translated into other languages. Brief biographical notes on the author and translator precede each story.

SECRET WEAVERS: STORIES OF THE FANTASTIC BY WOMEN WRITERS OF ARGENTINA AND CHILE. Edited by Marjorie Agosin; assistant editor, Celeste Kostopulos-Cooperman. Fredonia, NY: White Pine Press, 1992. 339p.

This collection has the geographical focus of works from the Southern Cone, a region including Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay. The essay “Reflections on the Fantastic” by Marjorie Agosin opens the anthology, which is arranged by groups headed: Compulsive Dreamers; And the Wheel Still Spins; The Wild Mirrors; Invisible Embroidery; Letters; and Annunciations. Works by eighteen authors covering a variety of eras in the twentieth century are included, with biographical information and other titles available in English provided for each author.

SHORT STORIES BY LATIN AMERICAN WOMEN: THE MAGIC AND THE REAL. Compiled and edited by Celia Correas de Zapata. Houston, TX: Arte Publico Press, 1990. 224p.

The stories of thirty-two twentieth-century writers are presented in this collection, with a foreword by Isabel Allende. The introduction discusses realism, the literature of the fantastic, and magical realism in women’s writing in Latin America. Arranged alphabetically by author’s last name, with biographical notes at the end.

THE WEB: STORIES BY ARGENTINE WOMEN. Edited and translated by H. Ernest Lewald. Washington, D.C.: Three Continents Press, 1983. 170p.

Selections of prose by twelve twentieth-century writers are presented in this collection. A short introduction gives historical information on Argentine women poets. A photograph, biographical notes and a bibliography of other literary works by each poet provided.

WOMAN WHO HAS SPROUTED WINGS: POEMS BY CONTEMPORARY LATIN AMERICAN WOMEN POETS. Edited by Mary Crow. (Discoveries) Second edition. Pittsburgh: Latin American Literary Review Press, 1987. 205p. [First edition, 1984]

A bilingual collection of poems by seventeen Latin American women poets, with a preface by Joanna Bankier and a critical introduction by the editor. The second edition is an expansion of the first (which included fourteen poets), with corrections and updated biographical notes.

WOMEN’S FICTION FROM LATIN AMERICA: SELECTIONS FROM TWELVE CONTEMPORARY AUTHORS. Edited with translations by Evelyn Picon Garfield. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1988. 355p.

Nineteen short stories, a one-act play, and excerpts from four novels are presented in this collection of women authors from seven countries. Bibliographic notes and a photograph introduce each author’s selections. Extensive bibliographies of each writer’s other fiction and critical works, available translations, and secondary sources provided at the end.

WOMEN’S WRITING IN LATIN AMERICA: AN ANTHOLOGY. Edited by Sara Castro-Klaren, Sylvia Molloy, Beatriz Sarlo. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1991. 362p.

Selected for this collection are works not only by established authors, but also by women who write, including testimonial writing of peasant women, labor, and social activists, fiction, poetry, and writing about the craft of writing. Divided into three sections: Women, Self, and Writing, introduced by Castro-Klaren; Female Textual Identities: the Strategies of Self-figuration, introduced by Molloy; and Women, History, and Ideology, introduced by Sarlo. Substantial biographical and literary information is provided, as well as an extensive bibliography including secondary sources.

YOU CAN’T DROWN THE FIRE: LATIN AMERICAN WOMEN WRITING IN EXILE. Edited by Alicia Partnoy. Pittsburgh, PA and San Francisco, CA: Cleis Press, 1988. 258p.

All the works in this anthology are by Central and South American women who had to leave their countries since 1970. Arranged in sections: Testimony; Narrative; Essay; Poetry; and Letters. Biographical notes precede each of the thirty-four author’s selections, including information on their exile. A select bibliography of works in their original language and translations is provided at the end.

The Middle East and Africa

BURNING AIR AND A CLEAR MIND: CONTEMPORARY ISRAELI WOMEN POETS. Selected, edited, with an introduction by Myra Glazer; with drawings by Shirley Faktor. Athens: Ohio University Press, 1981. 135p.

A critical introduction examines the political context for literature in Israel and the role of women writers in an evolving literary tradition. The poems are provided in English by a variety of translators and brief biographical notes about the eighteen poets precede each author’s selections.

MY GRANDMOTHER’S CACTUS: STORIES BY EGYPTIAN WOMEN. Ed. and trans. by Marilyn Booth. London: Quartet, 1990.

OPENING THE GATES: A CENTURY OF ARAB FEMINIST WRITING. Edited by Margot Badran and Miriam Cooke. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1990. 412p.

Contains over fifty works presented in three sections by the themes “Awareness,””Rejection,” and “Activism.” There is an extensive introduction with notes, a glossary and an index. Some works were originally written in English, but most are translations. Biographical information provided for each author.

STORIES BY IRANIAN WOMEN SINCE THE REVOLUTION. Translated from the Persian by Soraya Paknazer Sullivan; introduction by Farzaneh Milani; foreword by Elizabeth Warnock Fernea. (Modern Middle East Literatures in Translation Series) Austin: University of Texas Center for Middle Eastern Studies, 1991.

One work from each of thirteen authors are included in this anthology. Biographical information provided preceding each selection. The critical introduction by Farzaneh Milani is titled “Sheherezade Unveiled: Post-Revolutionary Iranian Women Writers.”

TWENTY STORIES BY TURKISH WOMEN WRITERS. Translated by Nilufer Mizanoglu Reddy. (Indiana University Turkish studies, no. 8) Bloomington: Indiana University Turkish Studies, 1988.

UNWINDING THREADS: WRITING BY WOMEN IN AFRICA. Selected and edited by Charlotte H. Bruner. (African Writers Series, no. 256) London: Heinemann, 1983. 208p.

Divided into four parts by regions of Africa with an historical introduction for each region. Includes a map of Africa showing where each of the twenty-four contributors comes from and biographical information. The preface discusses the barriers to reaching an audience as a woman writer in the societies of Africa. Many of the works were originally in English, but the anthology does include a number of translations, especially those selections from North Africa.

North America and the Caribbean

CREATION FIRE: A CAFRA ANTHOLOGY OF CARIBBEAN WOMEN’S POETRY. Edited by Ramabai Espinet. Toronto: Sister Vision, 1990. 371p.

The poetry is divided into twelve sections by theme, with an artistic photograph or drawing introducing each section. Many of the works were originally written in English, but the translated works are included in their original language versions as well. All the poems are by twentieth-century writers, and there is biographical information on each poet at the end. The preface describes the Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action (CAFRA). Includes a glossary.

HER TRUE-TRUE NAME: AN ANTHOLOGY OF WOMEN’S WRITING FROM THE CARIBBEAN. Edited by Pamela Mordecai and Betty Wilson. (Caribbean Writer’s Series) Oxford: Heinemann, 1989. 202p.

The translated works make up only one-third of this collection, but are representative of the multi-cultural nature of the Caribbean islands. Presented regionally by country with biographical notes preceding the selections of each author. The introduction discusses the tradition of women’s writing in the Caribbean region.

INK AND STRAWBERRIES: AN ANTHOLOGY OF QUEBEC WOMEN’S FICTION. Edited by Beverly Daurio and Luise von Flotow, translated by Luise von Flotow. Toronto: Aya Press, 1988. 89p.

The works of contemporary short prose by thirteen writers are presented in this collection. Very brief notes on each author are supplied, but there is no introduction or discussion of the scope of the anthology.

Western Europe

BITTER HEALING: GERMAN WOMEN WRITERS FROM 1700-1830: AN ANTHOLOGY. Edited by Jeannine Blackwell and Susanne Zantop. (European women writers) Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1990. 538p.

Preface includes a discussion of criteria for selection of works and the opening chapter provides an historical introduction to the background and social conditions of women during this time period. Biographical notes and a bibliography are provided by the translators of each of the fifteen authors. Collection includes poetry, prose and a one-act play.

CONTEMPORARY FRENCH WOMEN POETS: A BILINGUAL CRITICAL ANTHOLOGY. Edited and translated by Carl Hermey. Van Nuys, CA: Perivale Press, 1977. 207p.

Six poets are represented in this collection: Andree Chedid, Annie Salager, Denise Grappe, Marie-Francoise Prager, Yvonne Caroutch, and Therese Plantier. A critical introduction is provided preceding each author’s selections, which are arranged one poem per page, with the original language version on the facing page. Includes bibliography.

THE DIVIDED HOME/LAND: CONTEMPORARY GERMAN WOMEN’S PLAYS. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press, 1992.

AN EVERYDAY STORY: NORWEGIAN WOMEN’S FICTION. Edited by Katherine Hanson. Seattle: Seal Press, 1984. 249p.

Twenty-four authors are represented in this first collection of Norwegian women’s fiction to appear in English translation. The introduction gives a brief historical context, and notes on the translators are provided at the end. Chronologically arranged by author’s date of birth with biographical information preceding each selection.

FRENCH FEMINIST POEMS FROM THE MIDDLE AGES TO THE PRESENT: A BILINGUAL ANTHOLOGY. Edited and with an introduction by Domna C. Stanton. (The Defiant Muse) New York: Feminist Press, 1986. 207p.

A chronological and bilingual presentation of thirty- seven poets is introduced with historical and critical background information and extensive bibliographic notes. Biographical notes on the poets provided.

GERMAN FEMINIST POEMS FROM THE MIDDLE AGES TO THE PRESENT: A BILINGUAL ANTHOLOGY. Edited and with an introduction by Susan L. Cocalis. (The Defiant Muse) New York: Feminist Press, 1986. 163p.

The poets are presented chronologically in this bilingual collection. The introduction offers a discussion of feminist poetry and gives an historical context for the forty-five authors. Notes on the poets are arranged alphabetically at the end.

GERMAN WOMEN WRITERS OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY. Edited by Elizabeth Ruetschi Herman and Edna Huttenmaier Spitz. Oxford, Pergamon Press, 1978.

ITALIAN FEMINIST POEMS FROM THE MIDDLE AGES TO THE PRESENT: A BILINGUAL ANTHOLOGY. Edited by Beverly Allen, Muriel Kittel and Keala Jane Jewell. Introduction by Beverly Allen. (The Defiant Muse) New York: The Feminist Press, 1986. 150p.

Fifty-two poets from the thirteenth century to the present are represented with side-by-side translations of the original poems. Arranged chronologically, with biographical notes provided in an alphabetical listing of the authors at the end. The introduction discusses the issue of women and the national traditional literary canon, and gives an historical context for this anthology.

THE MOURNING SONGS OF GREEK WOMEN. Translated with an afterword by Konstantinos Lardas. New York: Garland, 1990.

NEW ITALIAN WOMEN: A COLLECTION OF SHORT FICTION. Edited by Martha King. New York: Italica Press, 1989. 203p.

Works of eighteen twentieth-century authors are presented in this anthology. A brief introduction discusses the recent attention and recognition given to women writers in Italy. Notes on the authors and translators provided at the end along with a glossary.

ON OUR OWN BEHALF: WOMEN’S TALES FROM CATALONIA. Edited with an introduction and notes by Kathleen McNerney. (European women writers) Lincoln: University of Nebraska, 1988. 234p.

Substantial critical introduction and bibliography. Each of the five author’s selections preceded by a photo and biographical notes. Authors: Carme Riera, 1948- ; Helena Valenti, 1940- ; Maria-Antonia Oliver, 1946- ; Isabel-Clara Simo, 1943- ; Montserrat Roig, 1946- . Detailed citations of original publications and translation information.

POETRY BY FRENCH WOMEN, 1930-1980. Translated by Evelyn P. Gill. University Center, MI: Green River Press, 1980. 139p.

SAPPHO’S LYRE: ARCHAIC LYRIC AND WOMEN POETS OF ANCIENT GREECE. Translations, with introduction and notes by Diane J. Rayor; foreword by W.R. Johnson. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1991.

Seventeen poets from the seventh to the second centuries B.C. are included in this anthology, the first to compile the complete women poets of ancient Greece. Some of the archaic lyric poets are male, and are included to provide a context for the canon of lyric poems. The foreword discusses the history of the survival of women’s lyric poetry, and the extensive introduction presents a wide array of information on lyric poems and specific poets. Substantial critical notes and a selective bibliography provided.

SCANDINAVIAN WOMEN WRITERS: AN ANTHOLOGY FROM THE 1880s TO THE 1980s. Edited by Ingrid Clareus. (Contributions in Women’s Studies, no. 95) Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1989. 237p.

Chronologically ordered rather than nationally divided, this collection of twenty-three authors represents a specifically Scandinavian experience of women. A short preface provides historical background, and biographical notes precede each author’s selection. Includes notes on the translators and editor.

THE SHAPE OF HOUSES: WOMEN’S VOICES FROM HOLLAND AND FLANDERS. Translated by Manfred Wolf. Berkeley, CA: Two Windows Press, 1974.

This is a rare edition of only 500 printed copies. Includes: nine poems by Judith Herzberg; eleven poems by Hanny Michaelis; three poems by Ellen Warmond; five poems by Patricia Lasoen; and one poem by Fritzi ten Harmsen van der Beek. There is no biographical information provided and no introduction.

THANK YOU FOR THESE ILLUSIONS: POEMS BY FINNISH WOMEN WRITERS. Edited and translated by Anne Fried. Porvoo: Werner Soderstrom Osakeyhtio, 1981. 153p.

THREE WOMEN POETS: RENAISSANCE AND BAROQUE. Poems selected and translated by Frank J. Warnke. Cranbury, NJ: Associated University Presses, 1987. 135p.

A scholarly introduction provides information about each poet and her place in Renaissance and Baroque history. Extensive biographical and critical information precedes each of the author’s selections and the translations are presented next to the original language poems. The poets: Louise Labe, 1522?-1566 (France); Gaspara Stampa, 1524?-1554 (Italy); and Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, 1648-1695 (Mexico).

WOMEN ON LOVE: EIGHT CENTURIES OF FEMININE WRITING. By Evelyne Sullerot; translated by Helen R. Lane. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1979. 334p.

Although largely a critical work, Sullerot’s book includes translated selections from 158 French authors, from the middle ages to the present. An overview of the eight centuries is provided in the lengthy introduction, and each of the seven time periods presented begins with a scholarly discussion, followed by selected texts of that period. Each selection is followed by a number, with citation and biographical information provided at the end in numerical order. Includes excerpts from diaries and letters in addition to poetry and prose.

THE WOMEN TROUBADOURS. by Meg Bogin. New York: Paddington Press, 1976. 190p.

Divided into two sections: the first is a critical essay on historical background, courtly love, and the women troubadours of medieval Europe; and the second is a collection of the translated poems of eighteen women troubadours. Includes: photographs and maps; an appendix of biographies; an appendix with manuscript source information; footnotes; selected reading list; and an index.

WOMEN WRITERS OF THE RENAISSANCE AND REFORMATION. Edited by Katharina M. Wilson. Athens, GA: University of Georgia Press, 1987. 638p.

A lengthy, critical introduction to the anthology opens this scholarly collection of essays and translated works of twenty-four authors. The selections are presented regionally with substantial critical essays from individual scholars provided for each author, along with bibliographies of primary works and related literature. An appendix with a chronology of literary and historical figures and major events is included, as well as notes on the contributors and an extensive index. The anthology includes works of five authors from England not in translation.

THE WRITINGS OF MEDIEVAL WOMEN. Translation and introductions by Marcelle Thiebaux. (Garland Library of Medieval Literature, Vol. 14, series B) New York: Garland, 1987. 250p.

Covering a period from the fourth century through the early fifteenth century, twenty-two authors from medieval Europe are presented in this collection. A general introduction gives an historical context, and each author is introduced with a biographical essay. Source information and footnotes provided along with short bibliographies of further readings for each author.

— compiled by Carolyn J. Kruse, March 1992