Nineteenth-Century Novels Beyond Britain

Meet the nineteenth century through Brazilian tenements, Shanghai courtesan houses, colonial Philippine institutions, Warsaw commerce, South African farm life and other distinctive social worlds. These novels make room for comedy, adventure, confession and formal mischief alongside marriage and social ambition. Each translated choice names an English version to look for; original publication dates, later editions and historical settings are distinguished where they might be confused. Books first written in English belong here too. Begin with Brás Cubas for an irreverent narrator, Tristana for a short, difficult argument about independence, or The Three Musketeers for momentum. The aim is a curious reading route among literary traditions, with their different conventions and contradictions kept in view.