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Acutely aware of the changes in English usage at the close of the Victorian era, the lexicographer James Redding Ware (1832-1909) decided to record for posterity new and archaic words and phrases from all walks of life, from the curses in common use by sailors and the rhyming slang of the street to the jargon of the theatre dandies. Where else would you turn to learn the meaning of 'Bow-wow mutton', 'Air-hole', 'Lally-gagging' and 'Damper'?Ware's dictionary, first published in 1909, is a treasure trove of the everyday language of the nineteenth century, showing the influence of American English on Victorian slang as well as historical and innovative words and phrases. While it presents numerous expressions now obsolete, and some terms and definitions in the idiom of the era which would not now be considered acceptable, it also uncovers the origins and meaning of many slang words still in use today.Reproduced in facsimile with an introduction by John Simpson, Chief Editor of the Oxford English Dictionary, this dictionary provides a fascinating and highly entertaining witness to the colourful history of unofficial English.
In 'Tales by a Female Detective', Andrew Forrester breaks new ground by bringing to life one of the first female detectives in literary history, making a notable contribution to the development of crime fiction. The narrative, rich with Victorian milieu, outlines an astute and resolute woman navigating the criminal underworld, challenging the gender norms of the time. The literary style is discernibly procedural, with Forrester's prose conveying the intricate detail and deductive methods that are hallmarks of classic detective fiction. Embedded within a broader literary context, this book juxtaposes the emergence of detective literature with societal expectations of the nineteenth century, a...
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In "The Private Detective," Andrew Forrester crafts a pioneering work that not only lays the foundations for the detective fiction genre but also explores the intricate relationship between crime, society, and justice during the mid-19th century. With a keen eye for detail and a narrative style rich in dialogue and suspense, Forrester presents a compelling tale filled with an array of intriguing characters and complex moral dilemmas. The book encapsulates the burgeoning interest in criminal psychology of its time, reflecting societal anxieties and the emerging role of professional sleuths in a rapidly industrializing world. Andrew Forrester, an eminent figure in Victorian literature, was a c...
In 'The Female Detective,' Andrew Forrester presents a pioneering examination of gender within the detective fiction genre, notably published in 1864. The book features a collection of stories that spotlight a female detective, challenging the prevailing patriarchal narratives of the time. Forrester's prose is notable for its sharp wit and keen social observation, blending elements of mystery and social commentary. The literary style embodies the Victorian fascination with crime while also addressing the role of women in society, an audacious move for its era that reflects the evolving complexity of both detective fiction and gender roles. Andrew Forrester, born in 1810, was deeply embedded ...
Syms Covington has landed the job of a lifetime on Charles Darwin’s ship. But after being shipwrecked on a Galapagos island, he makes a discovery that could change the world—and make his fortune. Should he share his find, or will it lead to the extinction of a legendary species?
A revelatory history of the women who brought Victorian criminals to account—and how they became a cultural sensation From Wilkie Collins to the adventures of Sherlock Holmes, the traditional image of the Victorian detective is male. Few people realise that women detectives successfully investigated Victorian Britain, working both with the police and for private agencies, which they sometimes managed themselves. Sara Lodge recovers these forgotten women’s lives. She also reveals the sensational role played by the fantasy female detective in Victorian melodrama and popular fiction, enthralling a public who relished the spectacle of a cross-dressing, fist-swinging heroine who got the better of love rats, burglars, and murderers alike. How did the morally ambiguous work of real women detectives, sometimes paid to betray their fellow women, compare with the exploits of their fictional counterparts, who always save the day? Lodge’s book takes us into the murky underworld of Victorian society on both sides of the Atlantic, revealing the female detective as both an unacknowledged labourer and a feminist icon.