F415 Spring 2024 Nancy Drew and Her Changing World

F415  Nancy Drew and Her Changing World
Wednesday, 2:00—3:25, May 15
One session
Burke Centre Library
Note location and time
Instructor: Art Taylor
In the world of detective fiction, few figures are more iconic than Nancy Drew—a favorite character for young readers from the 1930s through the present and revitalized over the decades through TV and film adaptations as well as several spin-off series geared toward both younger and older readers. But beyond simple escapist reading, the adventures of the “Girl Detective” also offered telling glimpses of the values, concerns, and conflicts of their eras. A brief examination of the series’ publishing history— from before Nancy’s debut through significant and timely reworkings of the stories—provides additional insight into the business of children’s literature and the importance of market considerations on artistic creation.
Art Taylor is the Edgar Award-winning author of two short story collections: The Adventure of the Castle Thief and Other Expeditions and Indiscretions and The Boy Detective & The Summer of ’74 and Other Tales of Suspense. He’s an associate professor of English at George Mason University.