Transatlantic literary studies have provided important new perspectives on North American
British and Irish literature. They have led to a revision of literary history and the idea of a
national literature. They have changed the perception of the Anglo-American literary market and
its many processes of transatlantic production distribution reception and criticism. Rather
than dwelling on comparisons or engaging with the notion of 'influence ' transatlantic literary
studies seek to understand North American British and Irish literature as linked with each
other by virtue of multi-layered historical and cultural ties and pay special attention to the
many refractions and mutual interferences that have characterized these traditions since
colonial times. This handbook brings together articles that summarize some of the crucial
transatlantic concepts debates and topics. The contributions contained in this volume examine
periods in literary and cultural history literary movements individual authors as well as
genres from a transatlantic perspective combining theoretical insight with textual analysis.
