{"product_id":"fear-and-clothing-dress-in-english-detective-fiction-between-the-first-and-second-world-wars-9781350240308","title":"Fear and Clothing: Dress in English Detective Fiction between the First and Second World Wars","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003eFear and Clothing explores the cultural history of identity affected by war through the analysis of dress in detective fiction, revealing readers' anxieties and fears about class, gender, and race. It demonstrates an admiration and acceptance of the woman's identity performed during the Great War and continuing throughout the interwar period. Dress was a status marker to both male and female readers, made anxious by social change brought about by war. \u003c\/blockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat\u003c\/strong\u003e: Hardback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength\u003c\/strong\u003e: 264 pages\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublication date\u003c\/strong\u003e: 23 February 2023\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher\u003c\/strong\u003e: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFear and Clothing: Unveiling the Cultural History of Identity in Detective Fiction\u003cbr\u003eDetective fiction has long been a captivating genre, captivating readers with its intricate plots, intriguing characters, and the exploration of social issues. However, what lies beneath the surface of these stories is a rich cultural history of identity that has been shaped by the social upheaval caused by war. In-depth analysis of interwar publications by a diverse range of writers reveals the anxieties and fears of readers about class, gender, and race, and how these changed over time.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlthough detective fiction was initially perceived as a masculine and high-status entertainment, it was also read and written by women. During the Great War, women played a significant role in the war effort, and their experiences were often reflected in detective fiction. Jane Custance Baker's book, Fear and Clothing, explores how dress was a status marker for both male and female readers, making them anxious by the social change brought about by war.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDress in detective fiction serves as a set of signs that can be read, digested, and potentially employed to model the individual reader's personal dress choices. Fear and Clothing sheds new light on the dress of the period, the social and cultural environment depicted in the popular fiction genre in the early 20th century, and is of interest to researchers and scholars within dress history, literary and historical studies, as well as anyone who enjoys the history of detective fiction.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne of the key themes explored in Fear and Clothing is the idea of age. Baker argues that dress was used to signal age and status, with older characters often wearing more conservative and traditional clothing, while younger characters were more likely to experiment with fashion. This was particularly true during the Great War, when women were expected to take on new roles in society and were often seen as more independent and assertive.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCharacter is another important theme in Fear and Clothing. Baker examines the different types of characters that appear in detective fiction, including the detective, the victim, the suspect, and the witness. She argues that dress can be used to convey a character's personality, values, and beliefs, and that it can also be used to create tension and suspense.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eClass is another significant theme in Fear and Clothing. Baker explores the different social classes that appear in detective fiction, including the upper class, the middle class, and the working class. She argues that dress can be used to signal a character's social status, and that it can also be used to create conflict between different social groups.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMasculinity is also a significant theme in Fear and Clothing. Baker argues that dress can be used to signal masculinity, and that it can also be used to create tension and conflict between men and women. She examines the different types of masculine dress that appear in detective fiction, including the suit, the tie, and the leather jacket.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerformative womanhood is another important theme in Fear and Clothing. Baker argues that dress can be used to perform femininity, and that it can also be used to create tension and conflict between women. She examines the different types of feminine dress that appear in detective fiction, including the dress, the skirt, and the blouse.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRace is also a significant theme in Fear and Clothing. Baker explores the different racial identities that appear in detective fiction, including African American, Asian American, and Latino American. She argues that dress can be used to signal a character's racial identity, and that it can also be used to create tension and conflict between different racial groups.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn conclusion, Fear and Clothing: Unveiling the Cultural History of Identity in Detective Fiction is a fascinating book that sheds new light on the cultural history of identity in detective fiction. Through in-depth analysis of interwar publications by a diverse range of writers, Baker reveals the anxieties and fears of readers about class, gender, and race, and how these changed over time. Dress in detective fiction serves as a set of signs that can be read, digested, and potentially employed to model the individual reader's personal dress choices. Whether you are a researcher, scholar, or simply a fan of detective fiction, Fear and Clothing is a must-read.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimension\u003c\/strong\u003e: 234 x 156 (mm)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN-13\u003c\/strong\u003e: 9781350240308\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Jane Custance Baker","offers":[{"title":"Hardback","offer_id":44094207426810,"sku":"9781350240308","price":98.82,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0522\/4297\/2845\/products\/1677842731156_book.jpg?v=1677918571","url":"https:\/\/shulphink.com\/products\/fear-and-clothing-dress-in-english-detective-fiction-between-the-first-and-second-world-wars-9781350240308","provider":"Shulph Ink","version":"1.0","type":"link"}