Masculinity and Patriarchal Villainy in the British Novel

"This is a new and provocative rethinking of masculinity. In a bold and imaginative thesis, Martín argues that the villain is a function of patriarchy’s systems of masculine entitlement, and their ‘evil’ is a form of rage against those who threaten it. With a range of stimulating readings in British fiction, this is a fascinating, original and highly readable study in ‘anti-patriarchy studies’."

--Dr Brian Baker, Senior Lecturer in English and Creative Writing, Lancaster University

"Sara Martín has written an enthralling and ground-breaking account of the long-forgotten literary figure of the villain from a contemporary perspective. Taking the paradigm of Hitler as a point of departure, she explores characters as wicked as they are obscurely fascinating, ranging from Big Brother to Voldemort. And in so doing she articulates and unveils the ambiguous mechanisms of our own psyche. This is enjoyable and profound scholarship at its best."

--Dr. Antonio Ballesteros-González, Professor of English Literature, UNED (Spain)

"In her new book, Martín makes a powerful and convincing case for the importance of villainy to Masculinity Studies. Written with great verve and real critical purpose, this wonderfully provocative piece of anti-patriarchal literary scholarship is a timely and valuable addition to the field." ​

--Dr Xavier Aldana Reyes, Reader in English Literature and Film, Manchester Metropolitan University

"This is a new and provocative rethinking of masculinity. In a bold and imaginative thesis, Martín argues that the villain is a function of patriarchy’s systems of masculine entitlement, and their ‘evil’ is a form of rage against those who threaten it. With a range of stimulating readings in British fiction, this is a fascinating, original and highly readable study in ‘anti-patriarchy studies’."

--Dr Brian Baker, Senior Lecturer in English and Creative Writing, Lancaster University

"Sara Martín has written an enthralling and ground-breaking account of the long-forgotten literary figure of the villain from a contemporary perspective. Taking the paradigm of Hitler as a point of departure, she explores characters as wicked as they are obscurely fascinating, ranging from Big Brother to Voldemort. And in so doing she articulates and unveils the ambiguous mechanisms of our own psyche. This is enjoyable and profound scholarship at its best."

--Dr. Antonio Ballesteros-González, Professor of English Literature, UNED (Spain)

"In her new book, Martín makes a powerful and convincing case for the importance of villainy to Masculinity Studies. Written with great verve and real critical purpose, this wonderfully provocative piece of anti-patriarchal literary scholarship is a timely and valuable addition to the field." ​

--Dr Xavier Aldana Reyes, Reader in English Literature and Film, Manchester Metropolitan University