Starting with the Great Moravian period, Peter Petro surveys one thousand years of Slovak literature. He examines the medieval, Renaissance, baroque, classical, romantic, realist, and modern periods and highlights the contributions of such writers as Hronský, Hviezdoslav, Kollár, Kukucín, Nedozerský, Papánek, Rúfus, Safárik, Tatarka, Tranovský, Vajanský, and Záborský. Like Czech, Polish, and Ukrainian writing, Slovak literature transcended the merely literary to become an influential political and cultural tool: Slovak writers and poets played an important role in promoting and protecting the culture and language of their people against invading cultures. A History of Slovak Literature will be a welcome addition to the field of Slavic studies.

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"A detailed introduction to the thousand-year history of Slovak literature ... Along with translations of short passages from key works, many appearing in English for the first time, the author provides a wealth of detail about each writer's life and aspirations. No significant Slovak writer or literary event escapes mention in this highly readable narrative." E.J. Vajda, Choice
"Scholars in the West who work in the field, as well as those in comparative literature, will profit from being able to consult this well-thought-out and up-to-date history of Slovak literature." Gleb Zekulin, Slavic Languages and Literatures, University of Toronto

"A detailed introduction to the thousand-year history of Slovak literature ... Along with translations of short passages from key works, many appearing in English for the first time, the author provides a wealth of detail about each writer's life and aspirations. No significant Slovak writer or literary event escapes mention in this highly readable narrative." E.J. Vajda, Choice "Scholars in the West who work in the field, as well as those in comparative literature, will profit from being able to consult this well-thought-out and up-to-date history of Slovak literature." Gleb Zekulin, Slavic Languages and Literatures, University of Toronto