Amatory fiction is a genre of British literature that became popular during the late 17th century and early 18th century, approximately 1660 to 1730. It was often spread throughout coteries, published while trying to remain true to the writer's vision without criticism. Amatory fiction predates, and in some ways predicts, the invention of the novel and is an early predecessor of the romance novel. Indeed, many themes of the contemporary romance novel were first explored in amatory fiction. The writing of amatory fiction work was dominated by women, and it was considered to have mainly female readers; but it is assumed that men read these novels as well. As its name implies, amatory fiction is preoccupied with sexual love and romance. Most of its works were short stories.
Facts
Place of OriginBritain, approximately 1660 to 1730, spread largely through literary coteries and dominated by women writers. 1 Notable ExampleEliza Haywood's Fantomina: Or, Love in a Maze and Love in Excess; Or, The Fatal Enquiry, among over seventy other works by the same author. 1 Defining TraitA genre of British literature preoccupied with sexual love and romance, mostly told in short-story form and predating, in some ways predicting, the invention of the novel. 1 Defining Trait FAQs
Who wrote and read amatory fiction?
Mostly women wrote it and it was thought to have mainly female readers.
Amatory fiction was dominated by women writers, and it was considered to have mainly female readers, though men are assumed to have read it as well.
Connections
Features Author
Source Eliza Haywood (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Originated In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject originated.
Sources
1. Amatory Fiction (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationLead paragraph, on sexual love and romance
As its name implies, amatory fiction is preoccupied with sexual love and romance.
Second paragraph, on Eliza Haywood
The three most prominent amatory fiction writers were: Eliza Haywood (who wrote Love in Excess; Or, The Fatal Enquiry and Fantomina: Or, Love in a Maze, as well as over 70 other published works)
Lead paragraph, first sentence
Amatory fiction is a genre of British literature that became popular during the late 17th century and early 18th century, approximately 1660-1730.
Lead paragraph, defining sentence
Amatory fiction is a genre of British literature that became popular during the late 17th century and early 18th century, approximately 1660-1730.
Lead paragraph, sentence giving the year
Amatory fiction is a genre of British literature that became popular during the late 17th century and early 18th century, approximately 1660-1730.
View the Source Eliza Haywood (Wikipedia)
Features Author: Eliza Haywood, English Wikipedia, WorkQuote, Features Author: Eliza Haywood, English Wikipedia, Work
major writers of amatory fiction
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