In this book, I set out to investigate the emergence of the neo-Victorian novel in the general context of the development of ned-Victorianism as a cultural fact. The first chapter of this thesis has examined the evolution of neo-Victorianism from the earliest mentions of the term to more recent attempts to draw up a definition flexible enough to discourage the closure of viable channels of research and production, yet permissive enough to allow a reasonable level of consensus regarding its complex identity and a proper canonization of novels recognized as neo-Victorian.

As to the next four chapters of this thesis, they have been directed to the analysis of a number of neo-Victorian novels published between 1969 and 2011. Selecting a heterogeneous set of novels ensures the widest possible coverage of the classifications. presented by critics, as presented in the first chapter.

Our times seem to have surprised the neo-Victorian novel in full gesture of return and on the way back to an order that does not yet manifest itself in a palpable way, although some principles are clear. It does not give up on the .temptation of obedient docility, and its commitment to expressing anxiety and discomfort toward existing paradigms is still valid for the most recent neo-Victorian novels.