Explores the study of literature and literary history in light of global changes, looking at what defines world literature in the 21st century. Surveying ideas of literature from Goethe onwards, the author devises a compelling concept of literary constellations. "This volume ingeniously links national and transnational literatures and global culture while assembling a useful list of formal and thematic elements that will lead readers to engage with  old and new texts in new constellations and  ways." - Choice