The Penny Politics of Victorian Popular Fiction

Penny Politics rethinks the relationship between the popular and political, revealing that radical politics had popular appeal and that the lines separating a genuine radicalism from commercial success were complicated and never absolute.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 31 October 2023
Publisher: Manchester University Press

Penny Politics presents a groundbreaking approach to delving into the rich tapestry of early Victorian popular fiction, encompassing works such as Jack Sheppard, Sweeney Todd, and The Mysteries of London. By employing a discerning lens, this book uncovers concealed forms of radical discourse that coexisted with Britain's most profound and enduring people's movement. It skillfully listens for resonant echoes of Chartist fiction within the realm of popular literature, illuminating the intricate connections between the realms of the popular and political. The book challenges conventional notions by reimagining the interplay between these two spheres, recognizing that radical politics possessed a broad appeal and that the boundaries between genuine radicalism and commercial success were often blurred and subject to complexity. Through meticulous archival research into Newgate calendars, Chartist periodicals, media history, and culture, Penny Politics weaves together a rich tapestry of histories, aiming to rewrite the radical canon and shed new light on the dynamic interplay between the popular and political in the early Victorian era.

Dimension: 216 x 138 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526174536