English Fiction of the Victorian Period

Longman Literature in English Series

by Michael Wheeler

Professor Wheeler's widely-acclaimed survey of the nineteenth-century fiction covers both the major writers and their works and encompasses the genres and "minor" fiction of the period. This excellent introduction and reference source has been revised for this second edition to include new material on lesser-known writers and a comprehensively updated bibliography.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference

308 pages, Textbook Binding

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Bettie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Description: Professor Wheeler's widely-acclaimed survey of nineteenth century fiction covers both the major writers and their work and encompasses the genres and 'minor' fiction of the period. It provides the student with the best introduction and reference source to the period on the market. The second edition has been revised in the light of review comments and incorporates new material on lesser-known writers as well as a comprehensively updated bibliography.

Opening: PRE-VICTORIAN AND EARLY VICTORIAN FICTION: Fads and fashions: the sub-genres: Social and political historians of Britain, like historians of English literature, find the 1830s difficult to place. A decade of invention and reform, the 1830s mark the transition between the end of the Industrial Revolution and the beginning of the Victorian Age.

The full five stars because this does everything I wanted it to. Text book quality that will probably be referred to often.

[Nina Tweddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though I have read this book from cover to cover, it is more of a reference book. As the title says it covers English fiction during the Victorian period. I used it as a reference for a course I completed last year on Victorian Women writers. It comprehensively covers the Victorian period and all major authors.

Having said that, you may imagine it to be a big chunky book but it is a fairly slim volume. Only about 170 pages plus some very thorough appendices at the back.

This will sit on my bookshelf and be referred to many times, have no doubt. A very useful guide to those who love or are studying the Victorian novel.