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: Paperback / softback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 11 January 2022
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 three decades, from the late 1970s onwards, 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 embedded in prevailing ideas about the centrality of realism in the novel. By re-examining the critical reception of the Victorian novel, Worlds Enough offers a thought-provoking perspective on how we can reevaluate our practices and perceptions of books that we may consider familiar. It encourages us to approach these texts with a fresh lens, challenging our assumptions and broadening our understanding of the literary landscape.

In conclusion, Worlds Enough is a groundbreaking work that sheds light on the complex history and evolving reception of the Victorian novel. Through meticulous research and thoughtful analysis, Elaine Freedgood has provided a valuable contribution to the field of literary criticism, challenging our preconceived notions and opening up new avenues for exploration. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the evolution of literature and the power of critical discourse.

Dimension: 216 x 140 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691227818