The literature of Scandinavia is amazingly rich and varied, consisting of the works produced by the countries of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland, and stretching from the ancient Norse Sagas to the present day. While much of it is unknown outside of the region, some has gained worldwide popularity, including the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen, the stories of Isak Dinesen, and the plays of Henrik Ibsen and August Strindberg. While obviously including the area's most famous works, the Historical Dictionary of Scandinavian Literature and Theater also provides information on lesser known authors and currents trends, literary circles and journals, and historical background. This is accomplished through a list of acronyms, a chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, and several hundred cross-referenced dictionary entries, which together make this reference the most comprehensive and up to date work of its kind related to Scandinavian literature and theater available anywhere.

"...a much-needed and most up-to-date introduction to Scandinavian literature and an excellent place to start reading whether for further study or for pleasure." - American Reference Books Annual, vol. 38 (2007)

"Jan Sjåvik's Historical Dictionary of Scandinavian Literature and Theater is a concise, well-organized, useful guide for scholars and students, writers, and readers..." - Scandinavian Studies

"Spanning everything from ancient Norse sagas to contemporary novels, this resource for students, researchers, and general readers introduces the national literatures of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. The main part of the volume consists of several hundred alphabetically arranged entries on important authors, genres, and concepts. Sjavik also provides a chronology, a detailed bibliography, and a general introduction." - Reference and Research Book News, August 2006

"The most comprehensive and up to date work of its kind related to Scandinavian literature and theater available anywhere." - Aurora Boreal

"It is eminently suitable, and highly recommended, for public, academic and college libraries." - s