More than Twenty Years of Svensén's Handbook

The number of real handbooks dealing with lexicography and metalexicography is not, and has never been, impressive. When one looks at comprehensive handbooks and in addition those brought up to date, the number becomes even smaller. Because of this, but also because it has existed for more than 20 years (i.e. in different editions/versions) and because it is - especially in Scandinavia - a quite well-known work, Svensén's handbook is an important publication. In this review article, I will consider what the critics have written over the years (i.e. on the different editions/versions of Svensén's handbook), and I will attempt to determine whether the book is about to become a classic. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]