The Boy Detectives: Essays on the Hardy Boys and Others

by Michael G. Cornelius

Much has been written about the girl sleuth in fiction, a feminist figure embodying all the potential wit and drive of girlhood. Her male counterpart, however, has received much less critical attention despite his popularity in the wider culture. This collection of 11 essays examines the boy detective and his genre from a number of critical perspectives, addressing the issues of these young characters, heirs to the patriarchy yet still concerned...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786460334
• ISBN13: 9780786460335
• Release Date: July 2010
• Publisher: McFarland & Company
• Length: 220 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.1" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Mystery Solved. Exactly what I needed!

I just got my copy in the mail. It's exactly what I needed. I teach a course on children's literature over the summer, with a large component on detective/series fiction. This book gave me all the hints and clues I needed! It could be a little longer maybe, but it still has everything - ranging from early boy sleuths (like Tom Swift, where we get the term 'swifties') right up to the latest (like the kid in The Curious Incident by Mark Haddon). Witty, comprehensive, clever and insightful. I learnt a lot, I agreed and nodded at a lot, and it made me think. The selection of writers is varied and everything comes together perfectly - a really well planned out collection. It ain't no mystery! :) If you're a fan of the genre, studying, teaching (academically or for kids) and want a really good resource, or even just want to learn more about these fun books - then I deduce you should buy it!