The Supernatural in Modern English Fiction

Name: The Supernatural in Modern English Fiction
Price: 20.88 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780359334070

✍️ Dorothy Scarborough

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$20.88

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A scholarly examination of supernatural motifs in modern English fiction by Dorothy Scarborough.

Scarborough tackles the overwhelming volume of works featuring ghostly or psychic elements in modern English writing. She notes that no previous book addressed this topic directly, aside from Whitmore’s work on tragedy. Her approach involves selecting key examples from a bibliography of over three thousand titles to illustrate her points. This method allows for a deeper analysis of specific trends rather than a superficial listing. The author explains that her original plan to publish the full bibliography separately was abandoned due to its size. This decision keeps the current volume focused on literary analysis. Readers will find a clear distinction between this work and general horror guides. It offers insight into the academic study of the genre, highlighting the challenges of categorizing such a vast body of material.

Key Themes

supernatural motifs modern English fiction ghostly elements

Literary Context

Published in 2019 by Lulu.com, this edition presents Scarborough's earlier scholarly work on the supernatural in literature. It addresses the difficulty of categorizing the vast amount of fiction featuring ghostly or psychic themes in modern English writing.

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

C.E. Whitmore · Academic Gothic Critics · Literary Historians

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Lulu.com 📅 2019 📖 336 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780359334070

📝 Description: The Supernatural in Modern English Fiction

Dorothy Scarborough examines the vast landscape of supernatural themes within modern English fiction. Her work addresses a subject often considered too broad for previous scholarly efforts. While C. E. Whitmore previously focused on tragedy, Scarborough turns her attention to the enormous mass of fiction introducing ghostly or psychic motifs. She acknowledges that discussing every example is impossible, even with a bibliography numbering over three thousand titles. Consequently, she selects specific instances rather than attempting an exhaustive catalog. This volume serves as a focused study on how these elements function in literature, distinguishing itself from broader surveys by its selective approach to the genre's extensive history. The book suits readers interested in the structural analysis of horror and gothic traditions in English writing. It provides a scholarly perspective on how supernatural elements are woven into narrative structures. Those seeking plot summaries or casual reading recommendations may find this academic treatment less suitable. Scarborough’s qualification lies in her comprehensive research, evidenced by her extensive bibliography which she notes is too voluminous for inclusion here. The text offers a grounded look at the genre's development without relying on hyperbole. It remains a valuable resource for understanding the specific mechanics of supernatural storytelling in modern English literature.

💎 Our verdict on The Supernatural in Modern English Fiction

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Scarborough delivers a vital scholarly intervention by tackling the overwhelming volume of supernatural fiction that previous critics largely ignored. Her method of selecting key examples from over three thousand titles allows for deep analysis of specific trends, avoiding the superficiality common in general horror guides. The book excels in providing a clear distinction between academic study and casual reading recommendations. It is best suited for readers interested in the structural analysis of horror and gothic traditions. While those seeking plot summaries may find it less suitable, the text offers a valuable, hyperbole-free look at genre mechanics and literary history.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

This volume is essential for readers seeking a rigorous, structural analysis of how supernatural and psychic elements function within modern English literature. It appeals to scholars and serious enthusiasts who wish to understand the mechanics of horror traditions without the distraction of superficial plot summaries. Scarborough provides a grounded perspective on genre development by selecting key examples from a vast bibliography, offering insight into academic categorization challenges. Those interested in the theoretical underpinnings of gothic and ghost stories will find value in this focused study, which distinguishes itself through its selective approach to an enormous body of material rather than attempting an exhaustive catalog.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Scarborough delivers a vital scholarly intervention by tackling the overwhelming volume of supernatural fiction that previous critics largely ignored. Her method of selecting key examples from over three thousand titles allows for deep analysis of specific trends, avoiding the superficiality common in general horror guides. The book excels in providing a clear distinction between academic study and casual reading recommendations. It is best suited for readers interested in the structural analysis of horror and gothic traditions. While those seeking plot summaries may find it less suitable, the text offers a valuable, hyperbole-free look at genre mechanics and literary history.