The Cambridge Companion to African American Women's Literature covers a period dating back to the eighteenth
century. These specially commissioned essays highlight the artistry, complexity and diversity of a literary tradition
that ranges from Lucy Terry to Toni Morrison. A wide range of topics are addressed, from the Harlem Renaissance
to the Black Arts Movement, and from the performing arts to popular fiction. Together, the essays provide an invaluable
guide to a rich, complex tradition of women writers in conversation with each other as they critique American society
and influence American letters. Accessible and vibrant, with the needs of undergraduate students in mind, this
Companion will be of great interest to anybody who wishes to gain a deeper understanding of this important and
vital area of American literature.