Transfictional Character and Transmedia Storyworlds in the British Nineteenth Century by Erica Haugtvedt (review).

Erica Haugtvedt's book, "Transfictional Character and Transmedia Storyworlds in the British Nineteenth Century," explores the reception histories of popular texts in nineteenth-century Britain and how fan communities across different media formats contribute to the creation of community-mediated understandings of characters and storyworlds. Haugtvedt examines diverse media such as merchandising, penny dreadfuls, and theatrical productions, highlighting the role of fandom in meaning-making, particularly for the working classes. The book also delves into the cognitive predisposition of audiences to orient narratives through the experiences of characters and the concept of fanon, which allows fans to rewrite canon and reclaim narratives. Haugtvedt's analysis includes examples such as Charles Dickens's character Mr. Pickwick, the historical figure Jack Sheppard, George du Maurier's character Trilby, and Sherlock Holmes. The book argues that modern fandom practices, such as reading fan fiction and engaging in cosplay, have roots in nineteenth-century practices. [Extracted from the article]