Worlds Enough: The Invention of Realism in the Victorian Novel

Elaine Freedgood's book Worlds Enough challenges the conventional understanding of Victorian fiction by demonstrating that it was only in the late 1970s that literary critics constructed a prestigious version of British realism, erasing more than a century of controversy about the value of Victorian literature. She argues that realism, which was praised for its ability to bring certain social truths to fictional life, was also criticized for its formal failures and compared unfavorably to its French and German counterparts. Freedgood suggests that re-examining the critical reception of the Victorian novel can help us rethink our practices and perceptions about books we think we know.

Format: Hardback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 15 October 2019
Publisher: Princeton University Press

Rewritten text:

The Victorian novel, once considered a mere reflection of the social norms of its time, has undergone a remarkable transformation in the eyes of literary critics. Initially met with skepticism and even disdain, the novel has now gained widespread acclaim for its realism and formal coherence. However, as Elaine Freedgood reveals in her insightful book, Worlds Enough, the road to this esteemed status was not an easy one. It took nearly two decades, specifically in the late 1970s, for literary scholars to construct a prestigious version of British realism, effectively erasing over a century of controversy surrounding the value of Victorian fiction.

In her comprehensive examination of criticism of Victorian novels since the 1850s, Freedgood meticulously demonstrates that while these novels were praised for their ability to bring certain social truths to fictional life, they were also subjected to criticism for their formal shortcomings and perceived inferiority to their French and German counterparts. She delves into the intricate characteristics of realism, including denotation, omniscience, paratext, reference, and ontology, and explores the political implications inherent in these artistic elements. By challenging the notion that the nineteenth-century realist novel should be the sole standard by which other works are judged, Freedgood suggests that literary history could be enriched by giving greater recognition to peripheral literatures and the valuable insights of their critics.

Furthermore, she raises important questions about the aesthetic racism that permeates prevailing ideas about the centrality of realism in the novel. By examining how these ideas have shaped debates about world literature, Worlds Enough prompts us to re-examine our practices and perceptions about books that we may consider familiar. It encourages us to approach literature with a fresh perspective, challenging our assumptions and broadening our horizons.

In conclusion, Worlds Enough is a thought-provoking book that challenges our basic assumptions about Victorian fiction. Through its meticulous analysis of critical reception and its insightful exploration of realism's political and aesthetic implications, it offers a fresh perspective on the value of Victorian literature. By encouraging us to re-examine our practices and perceptions about books we may consider familiar, Worlds Enough prompts us to expand our horizons and engage with literature in new and meaningful ways.

Weight: 316g
Dimension: 147 x 222 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691193304