Writing the Colonial Adventure: Race, Gender and Nation in Anglo-Australian Popular Fiction, 1875–1914

by Robert Dixon

This book is an exploration of popular late nineteenth-century texts that show Australia - along with Africa, India and the Pacific Islands - to be a preferred site of imperial adventure. Focusing on the period from the advent of the new imperialism in the 1870s to the outbreak of World War I, Robert Dixon looks at a selection of British and Australian writers. Their books, he argues, offer insights into the construction of empire, masculinity, race, and Australian nationhood and identity. Writing the Colonial Adventure shows that the genre of adventure/romance was highly popular throughout this period. The book examines the variety of themes within their narrative form that captured many aspects of imperial ideology. In considering the broader ramifications of these works, Professor Dixon develops an original approach to popular fiction, both for its own sake and as a mode of cultural history.

Genres: History

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

My interests lie mainly in Art and history both as a life-long passion and education. I also have three websites although they look after themselves, mostly.
I never consider myself as a writer I only write down what I find in research.
I have five published books, one well out of print, and three published on Kindle with a further two on the way.
I spend my spare time out in the countryside, mainly the wilder areas. For relaxation I normally read fiction to get away as far as possible from my non fiction pursuits.