Nineteenth Century Revis(it)ed: The New Historical Fiction

The Nineteenth Century Revis(it)ed examines the revival of the American historical novel in the twenty-first century, exploring the revision of nineteenth-century historical events in cultural products against the background of recent theoretical trends in American studies. It combines insights from literary studies with scholarship on popular culture, focusing on the long nineteenth century as a key epoch of the nation-building project of the United States. The study discusses the constructedness of historical tradition and the cultural resonance of historical events within the discourse on the contemporary novel and the theory formation surrounding it.

Format: Hardback
Length: 258 pages
Publication date: 30 December 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Nineteenth Century Revis(it)ed: The New Historical Fiction delves into the resurgence of the American historical novel at the dawn of the twenty-first century. This comprehensive study explores the reinterpretation of nineteenth-century historical events in cultural products against the backdrop of recent theoretical trends in American studies. By seamlessly blending insights from literary studies with scholarship on popular culture, the study sheds light on the constructedness of historical tradition and the cultural resonances of historical events within the discourse on contemporary novels and the theoretical frameworks that surround them.

At the heart of this discussion lies the extraordinary literary output and widespread critical and popular acclaim of historical fiction in the United States since 1995. An additional postcolonial and transatlantic perspective is brought forth by the incorporation of texts by British and Australian authors, particularly through the inclusion of insights from neo-Victorian studies. The book serves as a critical commentary on current and topical developments in American literature, culture, and historiography.

The study begins by examining the revival of historical fiction in the United States during the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. It explores the ways in which historical fiction has responded to the challenges posed by postmodernism, globalization, and the emergence of new historical narratives. The authors argue that historical fiction has become a powerful tool for reimagining the past and challenging dominant narratives of American history.

The study then moves on to explore the ways in which historical fiction has been used to address issues of race, gender, and sexuality in American society. It examines how historical fiction has challenged traditional notions of identity and representation and how it has provided a platform for marginalized voices to be heard. The authors argue that historical fiction can be a powerful tool for promoting social change and challenging oppressive systems of power.

The study also examines the ways in which historical fiction has been influenced by recent theoretical trends in American studies. It explores how historical fiction has been used to explore the relationship between literature and culture, between history and memory, and between the individual and the collective. The authors argue that historical fiction can be a valuable tool for developing new theories and frameworks for understanding the past.

Finally, the study provides a critical commentary on current and topical developments in American literature, culture, and historiography. It explores how historical fiction has been used to address contemporary issues such as climate change, economic inequality, and political polarization. The authors argue that historical fiction can be a powerful tool for promoting empathy and understanding and for challenging dominant narratives of the past.

In conclusion, The Nineteenth Century Revis(it)ed: The New Historical Fiction is a groundbreaking study that provides a comprehensive exploration of the resurgence
of the resurgence of the American historical novel at the turn of the twenty-first century. By seamlessly blending insights from literary studies with scholarship on popular culture, the study sheds
sheds light on the constructedness of historical tradition and the cultural resonances of historical events within the discourse on contemporary novels and the theoretical frameworks that surround them. The book
provides a critical commentary on current and topical developments in American literature, culture, and historiography. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in the resurgence.

Weight: 530g
Dimension: 158 x 237 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367634667