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Product Identifiers

PublisherOxford University Press, Incorporated

ISBN-100195144112

ISBN-139780195144116

eBay Product ID (ePID)1797404

Product Key Features

Number of Pages288 Pages

Publication NameStrange and Secret Peoples : Fairies and Victorian Consciousness

LanguageEnglish

Publication Year2000

SubjectFolklore & Mythology, History, European / English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh

TypeTextbook

Subject AreaLiterary Criticism, Social Science, Psychology

AuthorCarole G. Silver

FormatTrade Paperback

Dimensions

Item Height0.5 in

Item Weight14.1 Oz

Item Length8.9 in

Item Width5.8 in

Additional Product Features

Intended AudienceCollege Audience

Reviews"[A] fascinating account...Silver, a literature professor, provides a generally valuable service in integrating anthropological, linguistic, and folkloric materials into her discussion of Victorian conceptions of alternative worlds of existence. Recommended especially for Victorianspecialists and sophisticated readers of fairy tales."--Choice, "This is an entertaining and informative study of Victorianculture....Provides some of the most original reading on the subject wehave."--The New York Times Book Review, "A fascinating and beautifully written book. Victorianists who think they have no interest in the subject should think again. Silver finds fairies in every imaginable aspect of nineteenth-century British life. Scholars of Victorian anthropology and sociology; biology; genealogy; medical, legal, and women's history; imperialism; Darwinism; photography; art; and literature will all benefit from this marvelous book.... In her passionate, jargon-free prose Silver reminds us that literature always has been and literary criticism can be a sheer delight to read."--Journal of English and GermanicPhilology "While Silver presents a mainly academic approach, it is highly readable and fascinating material to anyone who loves this literary period."--Michigan Alumnus Magazine "Carol G. Silver does much to remedy the dearth of historical analysis in this rich field.... Silver's book is a significant contribution to this fascinating hallmark of the Victorian era."--Victorian Review[Canada] "[A] fascinating account...Silver, a literature professor, provides a generally valuable service in integrating anthropological, linguistic, and folkloric materials into her discussion of Victorian conceptions of alternative worlds of existence. Recommended especially for Victorian specialists and sophisticated readers of fairy tales."--Choice "This is an entertaining and informative study of Victorian culture....Provides some of the most original reading on the subject we have."--The New York Times Book Review "Highly accessible....This is essential for academic libraries, and highly recommended for public libraries as well."--Library Journal "This is a masterful examination of [the nineteenth] century's burgeoning interest in the folklore of fairies, and an interpretation of this folklore in cultural and political terms.... This is a long overdue study, especially significant to anyone interested in the full range of Victorian culture from its scientific and pseudoscientific extensions of Darwinism, ethnography, and genetics to its focus on the occult 'sciences'--theosophy, spiritualism, and so on."--Marvels & Tales: Journal of Fairy-Tale Studies "[Features] the choicest discoveries...Silver has culled from her vast reading in fairy lore and the Victorian folklorists....Handsomely illustrated."--Studies in English Literature, "Silver unearths all manner of interesting examples of folklore, fiction, and supposed fact to illustrate aspects of this particular Victorian fascination. Her discussion of the feedback loop between folklore and the emerging sciences of the nineteenth century is particularly intriguing, andadds an element seldom covered in other analyses of fairy lore and belief.... Lucidly written and accessible to the general reader."--Mythprint, "An interesting subject, a strong array of primary sources from several disciplines, approachable organization... [Readers] will close this volume enlightened and engaged."--Modern Philology, "A fascinating and beautifully written book. Victorianists who think they have no interest in the subject should think again. Silver finds fairies in every imaginable aspect of nineteenth-century British life. Scholars of Victorian anthropology and sociology; biology; genealogy; medical,legal, and women's history; imperialism; Darwinism; photography; art; and literature will all benefit from this marvelous book.... In her passionate, jargon-free prose Silver reminds us that literature always has been and literary criticism can be a sheer delight to read."--Journal of English andGermanic Philology, "A fascinating and beautifully written book. Victorianists who think theyhave no interest in the subject should think again. Silver finds fairies inevery imaginable aspect of nineteenth-century British life. Scholars ofVictorian anthropology and sociology; biology; genealogy; medical, legal, andwomen's history; imperialism; Darwinism; photography; art; and literature willall benefit from this marvelous book.... In her passionate, jargon-free proseSilver reminds us that literature always has been and literary criticism can bea sheer delight to read."--Journal of English and Germanic Philology, "Highly accessible....This is essential for academic libraries, and highly recommended for public libraries as well."--Library Journal, "[Features] the choicest discoveries...Silver has culled from her vastreading in fairy lore and the Victorian folklorists....Handsomelyillustrated."--Studies in English Literature, "This is a masterful examination of [the nineteenth] century's burgeoning interest in the folklore of fairies, and an interpretation of this folklore in cultural and political terms.... This is a long overdue study, especially significant to anyone interested in the full range of Victorianculture from its scientific and pseudoscientific extensions of Darwinism, ethnography, and genetics to its focus on the occult 'sciences'--theosophy, spiritualism, and so on."--Marvels and Tales: Journal of Fairy-Tale Studies, "Carol G. Silver does much to remedy the dearth of historical analysis in this rich field.... Silver's book is a significant contribution to this fascinating hallmark of the Victorian era."--Victorian Review [Canada], "A fascinating and beautifully written book. Victorianists who think they have no interest in the subject should think again. Silver finds fairies in every imaginable aspect of nineteenth-century British life. Scholars of Victorian anthropology and sociology; biology; genealogy; medical, legal, and women's history; imperialism; Darwinism; photography; art; and literature will all benefit from this marvelous book.... In her passionate, jargon-free prose Silver reminds us that literature always has been and literary criticism can be a sheer delight to read."--Journal of English and Germanic Philology"While Silver presents a mainly academic approach, it is highly readable and fascinating material to anyone who loves this literary period."--Michigan Alumnus Magazine"Carol G. Silver does much to remedy the dearth of historical analysis in this rich field.... Silver's book is a significant contribution to this fascinating hallmark of the Victorian era."--Victorian Review [Canada]"[A] fascinating account...Silver, a literature professor, provides a generally valuable service in integrating anthropological, linguistic, and folkloric materials into her discussion of Victorian conceptions of alternative worlds of existence. Recommended especially for Victorian specialists and sophisticated readers of fairy tales."--Choice"This is an entertaining and informative study of Victorian culture....Provides some of the most original reading on the subject we have."--The New York Times Book Review"Highly accessible....This is essential for academic libraries, and highly recommended for public libraries as well."--Library Journal"This is a masterful examination of [the nineteenth] century's burgeoning interest in the folklore of fairies, and an interpretation of this folklore in cultural and political terms.... This is a long overdue study, especially significant to anyone interested in the full range of Victorian culture from its scientific and pseudoscientific extensions of Darwinism, ethnography, and genetics to its focus on the occult 'sciences'--theosophy, spiritualism, and so on."--Marvels & Tales: Journal of Fairy-Tale Studies"[Features] the choicest discoveries...Silver has culled from her vast reading in fairy lore and the Victorian folklorists....Handsomely illustrated."--Studies in English Literature, "Highly accessible....This is essential for academic libraries, and highlyrecommended for public libraries as well."--Library Journal, "An interesting subject, a strong array of primary sources from severaldisciplines, approachable organization... [Readers] will close this volumeenlightened and engaged."--Modern Philology, "[A] fascinating account...Silver, a literature professor, provides agenerally valuable service in integrating anthropological, linguistic, andfolkloric materials into her discussion of Victorian conceptions of alternativeworlds of existence. Recommended especially for Victorian specialists andsophisticated readers of fairy tales."--Choice, "While Silver presents a mainly academic approach, it is highly readableand fascinating material to anyone who loves this literary period."--MichiganAlumnus Magazine, "While Silver presents a mainly academic approach, it is highly readable and fascinating material to anyone who loves this literary period."--Michigan Alumnus Magazine, "This is an entertaining and informative study of Victorian culture....Provides some of the most original reading on the subject we have."--The New York Times Book Review, "[Features] the choicest discoveries...Silver has culled from her vast reading in fairy lore and the Victorian folklorists....Handsomely illustrated."--Studies in English Literature, "Silver's superb study of the Victorian fascination with fairylore andfolklore reveals how pervasive and significant the belief in fairies was andstill may be in British culture. Silver traces the evolution of fairy imagesthroughout the nineteenth century and convincingly demonstrates how they provideimportant commentary on changing tastes and attitudes of the British, who tookthe fairies very seriously. Her book is filled with fascinating case studies ofchangelings, fairy brides, goblins, and banshei, transformed into representativefigures of Victorian beliefs in discourses about utilitarianism, race, gender,and industrialism. Not only does she deal with the intertextuality of fairylorein society and literature, but she also discusses painting, music, ballet,theater, and folklore. This book is required reading--and delightfulreading--for anyone interested in the 'secret people' who captivated theVictorians throughout the nineteenth century."--Jack Zipes, University ofMinnesota, "A fascinating and beautifully written book. Victorianists who think they have no interest in the subject should think again. Silver finds fairies in every imaginable aspect of nineteenth-century British life. Scholars of Victorian anthropology and sociology; biology; genealogy; medical, legal, and women's history; imperialism; Darwinism; photography; art; and literature will all benefit from this marvelous book.... In her passionate, jargon-free prose Silver reminds us that literature always has been and literary criticism can be a sheer delight to read."-- Journal of English and Germanic Philology "While Silver presents a mainly academic approach, it is highly readable and fascinating material to anyone who loves this literary period."-- Michigan Alumnus Magazine "Carol G. Silver does much to remedy the dearth of historical analysis in this rich field.... Silver's book is a significant contribution to this fascinating hallmark of the Victorian era."-- Victorian Review [Canada] "[A] fascinating account...Silver, a literature professor, provides a generally valuable service in integrating anthropological, linguistic, and folkloric materials into her discussion of Victorian conceptions of alternative worlds of existence. Recommended especially for Victorian specialists and sophisticated readers of fairy tales."-- Choice "This is an entertaining and informative study of Victorian culture....Provides some of the most original reading on the subject we have."-- The New York Times Book Review "Highly accessible....This is essential for academic libraries, and highly recommended for public libraries as well."-- Library Journal "This is a masterful examination of [the nineteenth] century's burgeoning interest in the folklore of fairies, and an interpretation of this folklore in cultural and political terms.... This is a long overdue study, especially significant to anyone interested in the full range of Victorian culture from its scientific and pseudoscientific extensions of Darwinism, ethnography, and genetics to its focus on the occult 'sciences'--theosophy, spiritualism, and so on."-- Marvels & Tales: Journal of Fairy-Tale Studies "[Features] the choicest discoveries...Silver has culled from her vast reading in fairy lore and the Victorian folklorists....Handsomely illustrated."-- Studies in English Literature, "A fascinating and beautifully written book. Victorianists who think they have no interest in the subject should think again. Silver finds fairies in every imaginable aspect of nineteenth-century British life. Scholars of Victorian anthropology and sociology; biology; genealogy; medical, legal, and women's history; imperialism; Darwinism; photography; art; and literature will all benefit from this marvelous book.... In her passionate, jargon-free prose Silver reminds us that literature always has been and literary criticism can be a sheer delight to read."--Journal of English and Germanic Philology "While Silver presents a mainly academic approach, it is highly readable and fascinating material to anyone who loves this literary period."--Michigan Alumnus Magazine "Carol G. Silver does much to remedy the dearth of historical analysis in this rich field.... Silver's book is a significant contribution to this fascinating hallmark of the Victorian era."--Victorian Review [Canada] "[A] fascinating account...Silver, a literature professor, provides a generally valuable service in integrating anthropological, linguistic, and folkloric materials into her discussion of Victorian conceptions of alternative worlds of existence. Recommended especially for Victorian specialists and sophisticated readers of fairy tales."--Choice "This is an entertaining and informative study of Victorian culture....Provides some of the most original reading on the subject we have."--The New York Times Book Review "Highly accessible....This is essential for academic libraries, and highly recommended for public libraries as well."--Library Journal "This is a masterful examination of [the nineteenth] century's burgeoning interest in the folklore of fairies, and an interpretation of this folklore in cultural and political terms.... This is a long overdue study, especially significant to anyone interested in the full range of Victorian culture from its scientific and pseudoscientific extensions of Darwinism, ethnography, and genetics to its focus on the occult 'sciences'--theosophy, spiritualism, and so on."--Marvels & Tales: Journal of Fairy-Tale Studies "[Features] the choicest discoveries...Silver has culled from her vast reading in fairy lore and the Victorian folklorists....Handsomely illustrated."--Studies in English Literature

Dewey Edition21

IllustratedYes

Dewey Decimal398.2/1

SynopsisTeeming with creatures, both real and imagined, this encyclopedic study in cultural history illuminates the hidden web of connections between the Victorian fascination with fairies and their lore and the dominant preoccupations of Victorian culture at large. Carole Silver here draws on sources ranging from the anthropological, folkloric, and occult to the legal, historical, and medical. She is the first to anatomize a world peopled by strange beings who haveinfiltrated both the literary and visual masterpieces and the minor works of the writers and painters of that era. Examining the period of 1798 to 1923, Strange and Secret Peoplesfocuses not only on such popular literary figures as Charles Dickens and William Butler Yeats, but on writers as diverse as Thomas Carlyle, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Charlotte Mew; on artists as varied as mad Richard Dadd, Aubrey Beardsley, and Sir Joseph Noel Paton; and on artifacts ranging from fossil skulls to photographs and vases. Silver demonstrates how beautiful and monstrous creatures--fairies and swan maidens, goblins and dwarfs, cretins and changelings, elementals andpygmies--simultaneously peopled the Victorian imagination and inhabited nineteenth-century science and belief. Her book reveals the astonishing complexity and fertility of the Victorian consciousness: its modernity andantiquity, its desire to naturalize the supernatural, its pervasive eroticism fused with sexual anxiety, and its drive for racial and imperial dominion., Examining the period of 1798 to 1923, Strange and Secret Peoples focuses not only on such popular literary figures as Charles Dickens and William Butler Yeats, but on writers as diverse as Thomas Carlyle, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Charlotte Mew; on artists as varied as mad Richard Dadd, Aubrey Beardsley, and Sir Joseph Noel Paton; and on artifacts ranging from fossil skulls to photographs and vases. Silver demonstrates how beautiful and monstrous creatures--fairies and swan maidens, goblins and dwarfs, cretins and changelings, elementals and pygmies--simultaneously peopled the Victorian imagination and inhabited nineteenth-century science and belief. Her book reveals the astonishing complexity and fertility of the Victorian consciousness: its modernity and antiquity, its desire to naturalize the supernatural, its pervasive eroticism fused with sexual anxiety, and its drive for racial and imperial dominion., Teeming with creatures, both real and imagined, this encyclopedic study in cultural history illuminates the hidden web of connections between the Victorian fascination with fairies and their lore and the dominant preoccupations of Victorian culture at large. Carole Silver here draws on sources ranging from the anthropological, folkloric, and occult to the legal, historical, and medical. She is the first to anatomize a world peopled by strange beings who have infiltrated both the literary and visual masterpieces and the minor works of the writers and painters of that era. Examining the period of 1798 to 1923, Strange and Secret Peoples focuses not only on such popular literary figures as Charles Dickens and William Butler Yeats, but on writers as diverse as Thomas Carlyle, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Charlotte Mew; on artists as varied as mad Richard Dadd, Aubrey Beardsley, and Sir Joseph Noel Paton; and on artifacts ranging from fossil skulls to photographs and vases. Silver demonstrates how beautiful and monstrous creatures--fairies and swan maidens, goblins and dwarfs, cretins and changelings, elementals and pygmies--simultaneously peopled the Victorian imagination and inhabited nineteenth-century science and belief. Her book reveals the astonishing complexity and fertility of the Victorian consciousness: its modernity and antiquity, its desire to naturalize the supernatural, its pervasive eroticism fused with sexual anxiety, and its drive for racial and imperial dominion.

LC Classification NumberGR141.S55 1999

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Strange and Secret Peoples : Fairies and Victorian Consciousness by Carole G. Silver (2000, Trade Paperback)

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