Inside the Victorian Home

I love meticulously researched social and cultural history, so I found this book about domestic life in Victorian England endlessly fascinating. The author uses novels, newspaper articles, advertisements, and advice books from the period to construct a picture of what daily life was like for men, women, and children of all social classes – particularly the sharply stratified middle classes.  This would be an entertaining resource if you enjoy any kind of 19th century British literature.  Even fans of the Regency and the Napoleonic period would find something to enjoy here. 

 

Oh, and if you’re a time traveler, this book contains a useful, multi-page chart delineating the proper form of mourning dress based on gender and age, relationship to the deceased, and passage of time.  Don’t be caught wearing dove grey wool when you should be wearing black crepe!