Penny Dreadfuls and the Gothic: Investigations of Pernicious Tales of Terror

This collection aims to resurrect the long-forgotten penny dreadfuls and revivify their significance in Gothic studies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 02 February 2023
Publisher: University of Wales Press

Penny dreadfuls and the Gothic have made groundbreaking strides in uncovering previously overlooked penny titles, shedding light on their cultural, social, and literary significance. This comprehensive volume serves as a reappraisal of penny dreadfuls, emphasizing their pivotal role in understanding Victorian working-class literature and the Gothic mode. Comprising a collection of essays, this edited volume offers fresh perspectives on Victorian literature, popular culture, and Gothic fiction, structured into three sections mirroring the dual titles of penny publications during the nineteenth century.

Section one and two consist of three chapters, each delving into different aspects of Victorian society, literature, and gothic representations. Meanwhile, section three comprises four essays that intricately intertwine, providing a comprehensive and intertextual exploration of Victorian society, literature, and gothic representations.

Through their examination of penny dreadfuls, this volume sheds light on the social and cultural dynamics of the Victorian era, revealing the experiences and struggles of the working class. It also highlights the influence of these texts on popular culture, literature, and gothic genres, demonstrating their enduring impact. By exploring the themes, characters, and narratives of penny dreadfuls, this book offers valuable insights into the complexities of nineteenth-century society and the enduring appeal of the Gothic mode.

Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781786839701