Consumption and Literature The Making of the Romantic Disease

Consumption and Literature: The Making of the Romantic Disease by C. Lawlor, published by Palgrave Macmillan UK in October 2006, explores the transformation of consumption from a devastating illness into a symbol of artistic allure during the Romantic era. This edition, consisting of 243 pages, delves into the interplay between literary myth and the harsh realities of the disease, examining how various authors and characters portrayed this condition from the Renaissance through the late Victorian period.

Readers will find a thorough analysis that bridges the fields of literary criticism and medical history, focusing on the cultural significance of consumption in 19th-century literature. The book investigates the semiotics of the disease, revealing how it became intertwined with notions of beauty and creativity. By addressing the historical context and the evolution of societal perceptions, this work contributes to a deeper understanding of the relationship between literature and medical discourse in Europe.