5 FORGOTTEN CLASSIC AUTHORS

Which classic authors have been forgotten, is a question that many readers ask. In this video I look at 5 forgotten Victorian authors who were very popular in their day but not many people know about today.
The classic books written by these Victorian authors are not only very readable, but also offer an insight into what the Victorian public were interested in and what society was like in 19th Century Britain.
If you love classic literature and want to dive further into it, then remember to subscribe to my channel to get the latest videos.
00:00 - Intro
00:23 - Charlotte Riddell
02:25 - William Harris Ainsworth
05:11 - Margaret Oliphant
09:37 - Lord Bulwer-Lytton
13:17 - Rhoda Broughton
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If you have any suggestions or requests for topics that you would like me to make a video about, please leave your thoughts in the comments section and help me to be the best youtuber on youtube that I can be.
I wish you joy in your reading.

[@dawnmorgart4038]

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE that you give us so many great suggestions, not just the top 10 in bookstores!!!! I'm off for the summer and love reading!!!!

[@shelleygebhardt3609]

I agree...it's so inspirring...

[@Yesica1993]

Thank you for bring these to our attention. Margaret Oliphant - It's interesting how making a living through your art is a debated topic even to this day. I tend to be the "head in the clouds" type who loves the idea of writing or doing whatever other type of art for the pure joy of it. But I'm also a realist. No matter the time in history, people still need to make a living. As you touched upon, in her time, and as a single woman, her options were limited. I think it's great that she was able to support herself and her family in this way!

[@captainnolan5062]

Although the sentence had been in existence before Bulwer-Lytton employed it in his book, the status of the sentence as an archetype for bad writing comes from the first phrase of the opening sentence (incipit) of English novelist Edward Bulwer-Lytton's 1830 novel Paul Clifford: "It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents-except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the housetops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness." [from Wikipedia]

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Brilliant in its own way😀 I believe there is something called the Lytton awards or contest where authors compete in writing the worst opening paragraphs for a novel.

[@captainnolan5062]

@@tristanandtheclassics6538 And yet, as you say, it is brilliant.

[@yawigriffini]

A video on Blackwood’s magazine? Yes! Absolutely a marvelous idea!

[@GilbertHorn1]

William Harris Ainsworth gave us the very curious “The Lancashire Witches”, and this video has given me another title to check out.

[@Sarah-cd1mj]

Could you please do mini biographies on forgotten authors? That would be cool! Also, have you read Deerbrooke by Harriet Martineu , Olive by Dinah Craik or The Half Sisters by Geraldine Jewsbury?

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Well those are some interesting characters. Craik was very much the middle class described, and a often referenced author in historical papers. Martineau was a sociologist, wasn't she. I've not read anything by either. A mini biography series would be interesting, I agree. It would also give me an outlet to my greatest passion, which is history. 😀

[@severianthefool7233]

@@tristanandtheclassics6538I’d definitely watch em if you made any history videos!

[@urb9516]

Stratford-upon-Avon had two significant writers. One almost forgotten, but a firm favourite of Queen Victoria. Marie Corelli was a prolific novelist who outsold her contemporaries, championed Shakespeare and helped in the preservation of historical buildings in Stratford. She even had a gondola and gondolier on standby so that she could traverse the Avon whenever the mood took her. All that remains of her is her angelic grave in Stratford cemetery, the blue plaque on her Stratford mansion, and her many unique novels. She may not be remembered for being a classic novelist, but I reaĺly enjoyed her books and also the story of the lady herself.

[@h.calvert3165]

You forgot "It was a dark & stormy night", the opening line of Bulwer-Lytton's Paul Clifford. Much derided, it led to the founding of the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest, an award for coming up with the worst possible opening line for a novel, night, by definition, being dark! I read his Last Days of Pompeii, & the characters & dialogue were ludicrous in the extreme. However, his description of the eruption of Vesuvius was one of the greatest pieces of descriptive writing I have ever seen! If I taught writing, I would recommend it to all my students. ✍🏻

[@kathleencraine7335]

So interesting! I've read Oliphant's Hester and all of the Carlingford series except the last book (Phoebe Jr), which I will get to this year. She has a brilliant way of defining classes of people through small domestic details, like speech, dress, home furnishings, even the street where the character lives, which reminds me of Gaskell. She's also a keen observer of church congregational politics a la Trollope. I would love to hear more about Rhoda Broughton's works and Blackwood's magazine. FYI: My edition of Miss Marjoribanks states that it's pronounced "March-banks".

[@mattiez3545]

Thank you for sharing some new authors with us. I will have to check out some of their writings. I have heard of Margaret Oliphant but didn't realize that she had written so many novels. I would be very interested in a video about the Blackwood's Magazine.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Thank you, Mattie. As for the Blackwood magazine it is something I hope to get to sooner rather than later.😀

[@mclayton1321]

Thanks for this great list! I'm currently trying to read as many Victorian novelists as I can, using The Victorian Web and cheap second hand book stores as a guide! I'm reading 'Cometh up as a flower' by Rhoda Brougton right now and it feels incredibly fresh and startlingly challenging to Victorian notions of what was 'proper' to write or read - so I'm not surprised you said that she had difficultly finding publishers. I'm loving it right now, having just been reading lots of Anthony Trollope - (and I love his books) , here all of a sudden there's a young woman's voice which could almost be someone from today speaking. I've also read Windsor Castle by Ainsworth - and it was bizarre in the extreme, especially the ending. I found it quite hard to wade through but the ending was so extraordinary that I can't forget it. I haven't yet tackled the other authors but will use your recommendations as a guide. Thank you!

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

This is great, M! Like you, I am totally impressed by Rhoda Broughton. Her style is exceptionally modern. There is almost a touch of the Stream of Consciousness about it at times. Hopefully I will make this year, one of Trollope's works.

[@PoiemaLee]

That was interesting! Of the list, I have only read Mgt Oliphant, Hester and Miss Majoribanks. I hadn't made the connection between Hester in her novel and Hester in The Scarlet Letter, though. Will have to think that one through. Another forgotten Victorian novelist is George Gissing. I find his works, though dark, to be very absorbing and thought provoking. Thanks for this video! I love Victorian literature.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Yes Gissing is a great writer. I'm reading one of his at the moment.

[@kendallalvarado9128]

I learned a lot! Thank you for your videos! I definitely subscribe ✨🙌🏻

[@charmainesaliba5546]

Thanks so much for this video. I always up to learn about "new" authors. I only know about Margaret Oliphant and by her I read Hester, I quite enjoyed it. The story is about two women actually Hester a young lady and her relative Catherine ( I believe her name is) both have strong characters. It is an interesting story. I will look these authors. Thanks again Tristan.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Thanks for this, Charmaine. I have the intent of working through her Carlingford series, which is supposed to be akin to Trollopes Barchester Chronicles.

[@HannahsBooks]

Thanks for introducing us to these authors! Although I have heard of a few of them, but not read any of them. Oliphant’s Hester is sitting on my shelf, waiting… Do you know about the Bulwer Lytton Fiction Contest? Always hysterical!

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Thanks Hannah. Great to hear from you. Another commenter said that they enjoyed Hester very much. I have seen the Bulwer-Lytton competition. Some of the openings are wonderfully amusing.

[@Mikyshor2323]

Hi Tristan, I just discovered your channel and I find it brilliant! I can't stop watching / listening to your content! At 6:27 you mention possibly doing a video on Blackwood's magazine and the literary criticism of the day, I would LOVE to watch that if the idea is still on the table 😊

[@vijikodi1131]

Thank you.. yes i have read Margaret Oliphant...s few years ago.. Mrs. Majorbanks ...and quite liked it.....Could you mention some biographies and autobiographies that one should read...

[@footfault]

So happy to have discovered your work! I was routed here through the audiobook, The Thirty-Nine Steps, you read, since I like to fall asleep being read to. If you have time, please perform another thriller/mystery novel? In the hope that you can find time to do another, I'll subscribe to be notified. YES, please produce a video about Blackwood Magazine and its illustrious contributors!

[@MrToryhere]

A video about Blackwoods magazine would be brilliant

[@ttowntrekker5174]

Love your vids Tristan. Hope all is well.

[@patriciadeane7250]

Thank you for telling us all about these authors……..wrote them all down and plan on looking into them. Just finished reading Arnold Bennett’s The Old Wives’ Tale……..could hardly put it down….loved his writing style!

[@graciecrossing3169]

Thanks for the great video, Tristan!

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Pleased you enjoyed it Gracie.

[@Tuesdaymayhew]

I didn’t know about these authors! Thank you for highlighting them. Will be adding them to my want to read list 📚

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Pleased you enjoyed the video Tuesday. I really want to read more from Broughton and Ainsworth.

[@booksatthebottomofthestair8446]

Just going through your backlist and several of your ideas here for future videos sound great.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Thank you for bringing my attention back to them. 😀👍

[@lucyjazz1]

Always nice to hear about authors I didn't know, especially Victorian ones! I'll look into their work for sure (eventually, ha ha). Thank you Tristan , and take care :)

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Ha ha. I know what you mean. There are just too many.

[@maryfilippou6667]

Yes, I Definitely want to reread my copy! I was honored to visit her house, stand beside her little table and then abruptly step on her grave in the side aisle of Winchester Cathedral.

[@ellenrobinson6381]

Yes. Please.

[@kasiakwiatkowska5816]

Tristan!!! This is so wonderful to see Your vid again!!!! Can’t wait to listen, I just couldn’t wait to comment as soon as I saw the notification 🎉🎉🎉

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Hi Kasia! So wonderful to hear from you. Hope you enjoy the video, would love to know your thoughts and whether you've read any of them.

[@kasiakwiatkowska5816]

@@tristanandtheclassics6538 sadly Tristan, I haven’t read anything by neither one of the authors mentioned 😞 but I am now incredibly interested in Miss Margaret Oliphant! looking at all her collection of work, she has put Mr PG Woodhouse to shame 😅 I personally would be so very interested in the section on the literary criticism! Tristan, that would be a Sunday treat for so many of us! Thank you for the finest choice of content 🙏🏼

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

@@kasiakwiatkowska5816 She and Wodehouse could almost write a library between them. I will look into the criticism project then. Very exciting. Somewhat daunting.

[@kasiakwiatkowska5816]

@@tristanandtheclassics6538 incredible! Looking forward to your thoughts and your insights ✨💯☺️

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

This is great!! Thank you for more authors to add to my list!!

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Pleased you enjoyed it Penny. Any particular author stand out?

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

Oliphant and Ainsworth although I added a book from each.

[@elinafernande4587]

Very nice background.

[@Jimbodisfan]

I watched this video last night and downloaded ebooks by Margaret Oliphant (the whole Carlingford series); Rookwood by Ainsworth; and Dr. Cupid by Broughton.

[@maryfilippou6667]

O yay! Thank you so much for Ainseorth'. I Loved reading Old St Paul's soon after reading Lady Antonia Fraser's love of it as a schoolgirl, mentioned in her memoir

[@maryfilippou6667]

I have at my feet Margaret Oliphant's The Doctor's Family and Other Stories. I do recommend her! I am lucky to have great second-hand bookshops nearby.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

I envy your proximity to second hand book shops. Especially when they contain such a vista of lesser known authors.

[@Sarah-cd1mj]

Have you heard of An Australian Story by Catherine Martin? I just purchased it and it looks awesome! Also, thank you for talking about forgotten authors!

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

No, I've never even heard of it. I shall go and have a look for it now.

[@brianmurray9158]

Hello Delightful Tristan, SO GRATIFYING TO SEE YOUR RETURN. We were just about to send out a search party, replete with St Bernard and mini keg of home-brewed (COLD) Aussie beer round his thick furry neck. (We'd already scoffed the pink gins and, as you haven't mentioned James Bond, lately, we couldn't offer you a martini -- shaken, not stirred). Like a lot of others, I am DEEPLY appreciative of your videos. (As is husband, Brian, who says he could listen to you all day). I don't really read fiction -- imbibed too much of WHAT NEVER HAPPENED* at uni -- but recommend Fowler, Christopher The Book Of Forgotten Authors 2017 / 374p as extension to your theme. Would LOVE to know more about the writers you last mentioned. And, if possible, explanations for why some authors remain sure bets, whilst others fall from popularity. *Having said that, you have inspired me to research more extant Gothic texts -- as European / British phenomenon -- in conjunction with comprehensive biographies, and mentalities, of people with such pronounced imaginations and skill with language. (I believe Gothic includes Wuthering Heights which, in my opinion, is a hyped-up Mills and Boon romance, with just enough convincing narcissistic personality to brood in a blighted corner of The House of Significant Literature as readers fumble for the smelling salts just after we've survived the plot and are about to swoon. Do you classify Wuthering Heights Gothic? Why / why not?) Last : FIVE HUNDRED GOLD STARS FOR NO MUSIC!!! Trust this finds you well and happy. Cheers from South-West Oz. Rowena Murray.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Wow! What a lovely message to receive. Thank you Rowena. I certainly like the idea of St Bernard delivered Aussie brew. Thank you so much for your support. Just in case this is the first video you have seen since my return, I did do one other on Jane Eyre before this one. It talks about Gothic influences too. As for Wuthering Heights, I would class it as a gothic novel, but it veers from being the usual sensational, like Braddon's work. Emily has a deeper motif that she is working through in this book. For instance, Heathcliff is not the typical Gothic hero (he's not really a hero at all.) Also, Kathy is the strongest figure. The description of raw attraction, animalistic passions, and lack of restraint, were disturbing for the day but something Emily was making sense of. I agree with Charlotte who said that she didn't think that Emily knew just how powerful a writer she was. I do not feel that Emily actually fully got to grips with Kathy and Heathcliff. They are such enormous personalities.

[@brianmurray9158]

@@tristanandtheclassics6538

[@radiantchristina]

Great video. The only one I had heard of is Oliphant, but have not read any of her works.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Thank you Christina. They are so tempting too.

[@Falconlibrary]

At the risk of being labelled insufferable, it's "forgotten", unless "forgotton" is some Swedish-inspired fiction genre I don't know about. I consider myself well-read and the only one of these five I've heard of (but not even read) was Bulwer-Lytton. I found several of these intriguing and will try to read at least one work from each, perhaps on some dark and stormy night. I assume Bulwer-Lytton turned down the job of King of Greece for tax reasons. Probably would've put him in a higher rate bracket. I turned down the job of Emperor of Romania for the same reason, on the advice of my accountant. When I taught Great Expectations, our text included both endings (Pip remains single and Estella remarries, and the "happy" version suggested by either Bulwer-Lytton or Wilkie Collins, depending on who's telling the story, where both remain single and it's strongly suggested they will some day marry). Which ending is considered "standard" in the UK?

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Hahaha I hadn't spotted it. Will be changing that.😀

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

At least I got it right in the thumbnail 😀

[@Falconlibrary]

@@tristanandtheclassics6538 That's the spirit! A glass half-full fellow!

[@maryfilippou6667]

Yes! I would like a video by you on Blackwood' s magazine! I read an Ainsworth and own another set in the Tower. I dont know if same, Harrison Ainsworth, the then blockbuster on the Fire and the Plague set in St Paul' s, hence the title. I loved it! Dame Antonia Fraser recommended in her memoir some years ago.

[@blackeyedlily]

I know none of these authors. I will have to check out a couple of them. I’m also really curious about what happened to your course on Romeo and Juliet. I was very interested when you put out that video a little while ago. And I was under the impression that you would be posting videos on KZbin for the course. If there is another place I should be going to check it out please let me know. As I am very interested in hearing more about what you have to say on Romeo and Juliet.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

It's always fun to discover new writers isn't it? As for R+J, I was getting ready to finish the course off when all kinds of trouble broke out in my personal life, which is why I vanished from KZbin for three months. I hope to get the course rounded off soon and will announce it here. I'll keep you posted.

[@kasiakwiatkowska5816]

@@tristanandtheclassics6538 thank you for the original comment blackeyedily and this is wonderful to hear there is more coming on R+J. Hope you’re ok Tristan 🙏🏼🙏🏼 We sure did miss you!

[@janebaily3758]

Hope things are much better for Tristan now.

[@blackeyedlily]

@@tristanandtheclassics6538 Thank you for the reply. I will look forward to hearing more when you have the opportunity to get around to it.

[@susprime7018]

Thank you.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

You are welcome. 😀

[@maryfilippou6667]

Brookwood is news to me. Old St Paul's by Harrison Ainsworth is Thrilling! It's set in time of the Great Fire, and I believe, the plague soon before. A mystery figures in. I Would Like a video on Blackwood's magazine. I have checked out Miss Marjorie Banks, but hadn't been able to get into it, teeny bit juvenalia, perhaps. I had to send for a copy printed in large floppy format, rather unpleasing compared to small dark blue leather copy I had from library. Later I bought in leather his Tower of London. Bulwer Lytton fine too. His Pompeii, right? No ghost stories, please! Bit boring

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Great that you know these ones. I have old St Paul's too. It is a shame how many books you can only get in floppy format. It does make for a more enjoyable reading experience when the book binding is good. But pleased that these stories are kept alive.

[@dqan7372]

Will be on the lookout for novels by Ainsworth and other Newgate novelists. Will be trying to track down the Newgate Calendar as well; so far most editions are looking a bit dodgy in one way or another.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Oh!!! If you do find the Calendar please let me know. 😀👍

[@mlouw8218]

I don’t think I’ve read any of these and they all sound quite interesting 🤓 I wouldn’t say she’s entirely forgotten, but people don’t talk a whole lot about Elizabeth Gaskell. Would you consider her Victorian, or was she a bit later? I particularly liked North and South.

[@sudarshangopinathan5904]

I love your channel and your work. Thanks for the video. I'm just about to start the old man and the sea. I'm definitely going to check some of these authors out.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Oh I hope you enjoy Yhe Old Man and the Sea. It is such a quiet novella. So thoughtful and reflective.

[@jesspope1726]

Gilbert and Gubar

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Thank you.

[@bad-girlbex3791]

Margaret Oliphant DIDN'T ramble on about "muh patriarchy"? I'M INTERESTED!!!