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The late scholar and critic Flores (1900-1992) selected some 330 major novelists and poets from Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America, both as exemplars of the literature of all the countries of Spanish America and as personally important literary creators. Flores knew most of the authors and was able to obtain from many extraordinary autobiographical passages that often form a part of the author's sketch. Most of the sketches were written in Spanish and translated into English. Critical insights and assessments of translations (a feature of inestimable value and interest) accompany biographies and autobiographies. All material was edited by Flores, who also prepared most of the excellent and extensive bibliographies. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

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School Library Journal Review

Gr 11 Up-Flores has selected 330 authors whom he considers examplars of Spanish American literature in this century. Each entry includes biographical or autobiographical information, which ranges from four paragraphs (Martín Adán) to eight pages (Jorge Enrique Adoum); a bibliography (very extensive in some cases) of works by and about the subject; and critical commentary, which may or may not be distinct from the biographical information. Many bio/critical essays are not signed. This is very scholarly coverage, assuming considerable knowledge of themes, style, and individual authors. Use is further complicated by lack of access; arrangement is alphabetical by name, with no indexes. There is no topical index (enabling users to trace ``magical realism,'' for instance), title index, or any means of access by country. Also lacking are cross references for surnames. Nevertheless, since there is probably no other bibliography of this scope in print, all libraries that support relevant curricula might wish to consider this title for purchase.-Tess McKellen, Packer Collegiate Institute, Brooklyn (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

CHOICE Review

Renowned scholar Flores's timely biobibliography covering more than 330 Spanish-American novelists and poets is a monumental contribution to research on Latin American literature. Its alphabetical arrangement resembles that of other studies (Keith H. Brower's Contemporary Latin American Fiction, CH, Jun'90; D.W. Foster's Argentine Literature, 1982; and Edna Coll's Indice informativo de la novela hispanoamericana, 1974- ), but Flores supplies more extensive information on a greater number of authors. The limitation to 20th century may explain the absence of certain key writers e.g., Peruvian poets Jos'e Santos Chocano (1875-1934) and Abraham Valdelomar (1888-1919) and Chilean novelist Eduardo Barrios (1884-1963) although the Argentine Ricardo G"uiraldes (1886-1927) is included. Nonetheless, the work is a gold mine of information. Isabel Allende and others prepared their own autobiographical sketches, to which Flores and other recognized authorities have added supplementary information. Entries cite the author's own works (including translations) and works about the author, including bibliography and criticism. The work ends with a list of general and periodical abbreviations. Academic readers, all levels. D. C. Henderson Jr.; formerly, Pennsylvania State University, University Park Campus

Booklist Review

This addition to the Wilson author series includes profiles of 331 major twentieth-century novelists and poets from Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The noted Hispanist Flores selected the authors for inclusion in this work, not only to exemplify the literatures of all the Latin American countries, but also because each individual is an "important literary creator." Flores knew many of the authors personally and invited them to write sketches discussing their lives and works. These autobiographical statements are abundant in this work, although most are accompanied by additional narrative from either the editor or one of the contributors. Much of the biographical and critical material was originally written in Spanish and then translated into English for this publication. The list of 100 contributors reflects a varied and impressive range of expertise. The book is arranged alphabetically by the writer's surname, and a complete list of biographees appears in the front matter. Entries vary in length from one page to several, with eight pages devoted to such well-known authors as Carlos Fuentes and Pablo Neruda. In addition to biographical data, all sketches include summaries of literary criticism and extensive bibliographies of titles by and about the author, as well as critical studies. Monographs and journals are included in the lists of references, but not dissertations. While many of the cited materials were written in Spanish, translations are noted, and English-language works are included when available. The fact that some of the included profiles were written completely by Flores, while some share the billing with contributors, and still others include autobiographical statements can be disconcerting at first, especially if a reader is looking for quick information. However, this is a minor problem compared with the advantages of including the range of commentary presented here. While Latin-American Authors [RBB D 15 89] sketched 176 famous writers from five centuries, many of the authors profiled in the work under review--such as Mart{{¡}}in Ad{{ }}an and Cecilia Vicu{{¤}}na--have never before appeared in standard English-language biographical sources. Spanish American Authors: The Twentieth Century is a valuable resource for both literary studies and Latin American studies. It is highly recommended for all academic libraries and large public libraries, as well as others serving Hispanic populations. (Reviewed Apr, 1, 1993)