Form and Ideology in Crime Fiction

by Stephen Thomas Knight

Here Stephen Knight studies different kinds of highly popular crime fiction to show their social function, drawing on recent work in the sociology of literature, which has explained how stories both shape and ratify our response to the world.

202 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[Nathanael Booth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knight’s overarching argument is somewhat limited and limiting, and one is aware at times of a certain unstated contempt for the readers whose anxieties he presumes to analyze. However, when it comes to cases—particularly his readings of Doyle and Christie—Knight’s interpretations are invariably sound, if not always convincing.

[Yeast · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little bit dated and selective, but suitable as an introductory reading.

[Helen Turnock · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m sure it’d be useful for some people but it wasn’t for me

[David Loveland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Relevant to my dissertation and includes some engaging ideas.