犯罪小説は19世紀以降、最もポピュラーなジャンルの一つですが、意外にもその起源はシェークスピアまで遡ることができます。犯罪小説の定義やジャンルが確立していった過程を考察し、その世界的な人気や多様なスタイル、ジェンダー論に至るまでを論じます。エドガー=アラン・ポー、コナン・ドイル、アガサ・クリスティーといった代表的な作家の作品に光を当て、犯罪小説は文学に分類すべきか否かといったことまで検討します。
Crime fiction has been one of the most popular genres since the 19th century, but has roots in works as varied as Sophocles, Herodotus, and Shakespeare. In this Very Short Introduction Richard Bradford explores the history of the genre, by considering the various definitions of 'crime fiction' and looking at how it has developed over time. Discussing the popularity of crime fiction worldwide and its various styles; the role that gender plays within the genre; spy fiction, and legal dramas and thrillers; he explores how the crime novel was shaped by the work of British and American authors in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Highlighting the works of notorious authors such as Edgar Allan Poe, Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, and Raymond Chandler — to name but a few — he considers the role of the crime novel in modern popular culture and asks whether we can, and whether we should, consider crime fiction serious 'literature'.
1: Origins
2: The two ages: Golden and Hard Boiled
3: Transitions
4: International crime fiction
5: Gender
6: Cousins of crime: spy ficiton, the thriller, and legal drama
7: Epilogue: Can crime fiction be taken seriously?
Further reading
Index
"the "fine dining" of literature" - Ruth Ginarlis, Newbooks Magazine
"This is a fine introduction to a genre that embraces humanity in its flaws and glories, and it should find its way onto the bookshelves of anyone who likes crime fiction, or fiction in general." - Ben Macnair, Nudge.com
"... this tidy little read-in-an-evening item will explain and enhance your affection for murder, open your eyes to new authors and have you reaching for the bookshelves for another fix, assured that you're right in the read afterall." - Sunday Sport, Jon Wise
ISBN : 9780199658787
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