Dime novels: The history of cheap entertainment literature
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Dime novels, also known as booklet novels or penny dreadfuls, are a form of inexpensive entertainment literature with a long tradition. These novels, which are usually published in DIN C5 to DIN A5 format and in booklet form, have enjoyed great popularity since the middle of the 19th century.
The beginnings of dime novels
The terms ‘penny dreadfuls’ and ‘dime novels’ date back to a time when the booklets actually only cost one or a few pennies. Today the prices are higher, between one and five euros, but they remain a cheap form of entertainment.
The heyday of German dime novels was between 1905 and 1914, when there were more dime novel series and higher print runs than at any other time. Around 100 different booklet series were published in Germany at the time, dominated by three major publishers.
Well-known dime novel series
The best-known old dime novel series include the crime series ‘Jerry Cotton’ about an FBI agent and ‘John Sinclair’ with mysterious cases. In the science fiction genre, the ‘Perry Rhodan’ series has been successful for decades. Romance novels are dominated by medical novels such as ‘Dr Stefan Frank’ or ‘Dr Norden’.
Target group and genres of dime novels
The inexpensive booklets appeal to a wide audience. The main target group is readers who are looking for entertaining entertainment and suspense. The majority of buyers are women.
Dime novels cover a wide range of topics: from romance and family novels to crime thrillers, westerns and science fiction to horror and mystery stories. Local history and mountain novels are also very popular.
Literary value of dime novels
Dime novel series usually follow a fixed pattern with stereotypical characters and are written in simple language. As a result, they are often categorised as trivial literature and their literary value is questioned. However, there have always been authors who initially wrote dime novels and later became known for more sophisticated works.
Overall, dime novels can look back on a history of over 150 years. Even though individual booklets are often quickly ‘used up’, the genre has endured since the 19th century and has produced many popular series that have delighted millions of readers.
