This four-volume set covers world authors from many periods and genres, building a broad understanding of the various contexts -- from the biographical to the literary to the historical -- in which literature can be viewed. The Gale Contextual Encyclopedia of World Literature allows a reader to analyze an authors work as a reflection of the heritage, traditions and experiences of the authors personal life and the beliefs, events, and lifestyles of the world at the time
World Literature and Its Times helps students and researchers make connections between political/social climate during which books were written and the works themselves. Each volume focuses on major fiction, poetry and nonfiction from a particular country and region, representing approximately 50 works.
Gale Contextual Encyclopedia of World Literature by 
World Literature and Its Times by 