Women have contributed to the literature of German-speaking countries since the Middle Ages, and they continue to write important works at the close of the 20th century. While research on texts
by women writers in German-speaking countries has increased substantially, most of these authors remain virtually unknown to English-speaking scholars and students. The first work of its kind
in English, this reference book contains alphabetically arranged entries for 54 Austrian, German, and Swiss women writers--such as Hrotsvit von Gandersheim, Louise Aston, Elfriede Jelinek, and
Erica Pedretti--from the tenth century to the present day. Each entry includes a biography, a discussion of major themes, a survey of criticism, and a bibliography of primary and secondary
sources. An introductory essay overviews the history of literature by women in German-speaking countries, and an extensive bibliography concludes the volume.
