A Counter-History of Crime Fiction

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xvi

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2. Revising the Canon of Crime and Detection

   1. Revising the Canon of Crime and Detection

      • Maurizio Ascari

      Pages 1-13

3. Supernatural and Gothic

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 15-15

      PDF

   2. Detection before Detection

      • Maurizio Ascari

      Pages 17-40

   3. Persecution and Omniscience

      • Maurizio Ascari

      Pages 41-54

   4. Victorian Ghosts and Revengers

      • Maurizio Ascari

      Pages 55-65

   5. Pseudo-Sciences and the Occult

      • Maurizio Ascari

      Pages 66-90

4. Sensational

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 91-91

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   2. The Language of Auguste Dupin

      • Maurizio Ascari

      Pages 93-109

   3. On the Sensational in Literature

      • Maurizio Ascari

      Pages 110-132

   4. London as a ‘Heart of Darkness’

      • Maurizio Ascari

      Pages 133-144

   5. The Rhetoric of Atavism and Degeneration

      • Maurizio Ascari

      Pages 145-155

   6. Conclusion: the Age of Formula Fiction

      • Maurizio Ascari

      Pages 156-174

5. Back Matter

   Pages 175-222

   PDF

This book takes a look at the evolution of crime fiction. Considering 'criminography' as a system of inter-related sub-genres, it explores the connections between modes of literature such as revenge tragedies, the gothic and anarchist fiction, while taking into account the influence of pseudo-sciences such as mesmerism and criminal anthropology.

• fiction
• rhetoric
• Victorian era

Shortlisted for Mystery Writers of America Edgar Awards 2008 (Category: Best Critical/Biographical)

'Maurizio Ascari's book is a thrilling journey through the supernaturally dark side of crime fiction. It excavates material that critics have not previously considered in the context of classic crime writing and also explores innovatively the role of the super-rational in the development and meaning of the genre. The book thoroughly justifies its challenging title as a Counter-History of Crime Fiction.' - Stephen Knight, Distinguished Research Professor in English Literature, University of Cardiff, UK

'...a well-written, insightful and important piece of criticism.' - Kim Toft Hansen, Kulturekapellet

'...[an] interestingly transnational approach to crime fiction...elegant language...captivating writing style...critically groundbreaking...' Rivista di Studi Vittoriani

MAURIZIO ASCARI is Senior Lecturer in English Literature at the University of Bologna, Italy. His publications include books and essays on crime fiction, anarchist fiction, the formation of the literary canon and travel writing.

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