British Short Fiction in the Early Nineteenth Century: The Rise of the Tale

In spite of the proliferation of Romantic-era books containing the word 'tale' in the title, short fiction collections of the period have received little attention from critics. Contextualizing British short fiction within the broader context of early nineteenth-century print culture, Tim Killick argues that authors and publishers sought to present short fiction in book-length volumes as a way of competing with the novel as a legitimate and prestigious genre. Beginning with an overview of short fiction's development through the late eighteenth century and analysis of the publishing conditions for the genre, including its appearance in magazines and annuals, Killick shows how Washington Irving's hugely popular collections set the stage for British writers. Subsequent chapters consider the short fiction of Mary Russell Mitford, the traditions and folklore of James Hogg, and didactic fiction by authors such as Hannah More, Maria Edgeworth, and Amelia Opie. His book makes a convincing case for the evolution of short fiction into a self-conscious, intentionally modern form, with its own techniques and imperatives, separate from those of the novel.