This unique and comprehensive volume looks at the study of literature and religion from a contemporary, critical perspective. Including discussion of global literature and world religions, this Companion looks at:

• key moments in the story of religion and literary studies from Matthew Arnold through to the impact of 9/11;
• a variety of theoretical approaches to the study of religion and literature;
• different ways that religion and literature are connected, from overtly religious writing to subtle religious readings;
• analysis of key sacred texts and the way they have been studied, re-written, and questioned by literature;
• political implications of work on religion and literature.

Thoroughly introduced and contextualized, this volume is an engaging introduction to this huge and complex field.