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The Subject of Books
Nine Years Later
1961
O'Connor's novel is discussed in several books as she becomes the subject of more academic study.
- The general survey book, The Literature of the United States: An Introduction to the Main Themes and Figures of the American Literary Scene from Colonial Times to the Present Day includes O'Connor. This indicates that she is a "main figure" whose work is taught in classes.
- The scholarly book, Radical Innocence: Studies in the Contemporary American Novel contains a chapter analyzing the grotesque in Wise Blood.
Books can be popular, scholarly, or a combination of both. For example, the general survey book above is written for students (characteristic of a scholarly book) but does not introduce new research or concepts (characteristic of a popular book).
| Popular Book Characteristics | |
| AUDIENCE: | General public |
| AUTHOR: | Journalists, professional writers, or sometimes scholars |
| SELECTION PROCESS: | Selected by editors for sales potential |
| TIMELINESS: | Not as current as magazines or journals (although books on current events or scandals are sometimes rush released to capitalize on public interest). |
| CONTENT: | Provides more content than a magazine article, but is still a popularized treatment of a subject (such as a biography that talks more about an author's relationships or addictions than his/her work, or a history book that takes information that scholars have published and puts it in simpler language). Does not usually back up information with footnotes and bibliographies citing other research. |
| TYPE OF SOURCE: | Secondary, unless it's an autobiography, diary, or collection of letters |
| Scholarly Book Characteristics | |
| AUDIENCE: | Scholars and students |
| AUTHOR: | Professors or scholars in the field |
| SELECTION PROCESS | Editorial review |
| TIMELINESS: | Takes at least several years for a book on a new topic to be written. |
| CONTENT: | Covers one subject in great depth, or brings together essays on similar topics. Backs up information with footnotes and bibliographies citing other research. |
| TYPE OF SOURCE: | Secondary |
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