Regional Fiction

Meaning of regional fiction

Regional fiction is a popular genre of literature in the UK, but what is it? At its simplest, regional fiction is defined as Literature that focuses on a specific area or region.

Regional fiction exists in every country and reflects the culture of specific areas in a place. Some of the most famous pieces of literature are works of regional fiction! For example, To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) by Harper Lee centres around the south of the USA.

The genre originated in Ireland in the 19th century, following the publication of Maria Edgeworth's novel, Castle Rackrent (1800). Regional fiction quickly gained popularity in Ireland and Scotland. Following this, it expanded again into England, Wales, and then the rest of the world as regional fiction writers and poets began to reflect on and analyse their homelands.

Characteristics of regional fiction

The characteristics of regional fiction are defined by three key factors: plot, themes, and setting.

Plot

There is a common misconception that there is no plot in a regional fiction work. However, that is not always the case. Regional fiction plots may centre around a clash of ideologies or beliefs in the region. The plot in regional fiction texts will feature the community of the area and its culture. The action of the plot will be dependent on the characters, and the time frame the text is set in.

Themes

At the heart of a lot of regional fiction is the theme of community. Many of these pieces of literature tell stories about how regional communities function and how they face change. Sometimes, the flaws and quirks of these communities are highlighted by the introduction of an outsider who is from outside the region. In more contemporary literature, regional fiction has often been used to discuss themes regarding marginalised groups in the areas. This can include themes of race, gender, sexuality, or class.

Setting

The most defining characteristic of regional fiction is its setting! Here the text's setting defines what themes and characters the piece may explore. This is because regional fiction is primarily used to discuss the issues, quirks, and characteristics of a specific region. The setting in these novels can vary, from the upper class in rural Ireland to miners in a Welsh village.

Fig. 1 - Regional fiction captures unique cultural and historical aspects of certain regions, as well as celebrating regional identities and pride.

Types of regional fiction

There are many different types of regional fiction around the world, including:

1. Local colour: This type of US regional fiction emphasizes the unique customs, dialects, and traditions of a specific region or community.

2. Southern Gothic: This type of regional fiction is set in the American South and is often characterized by elements of the grotesque, supernatural, and macabre.

3. Western: Western regional fiction is set in the American West and typically focuses on the experiences of cowboys, ranchers, and other frontier figures.

4. Urban: Urban regional fiction is set in cities and often explores issues related to urbanization, industrialization, and modernization.

5. Rural: Rural regional fiction is set in rural areas and often portrays a simpler, more traditional way of life.

6. Historical: Historical regional fiction is set in a particular time period and often explores how historical events and cultural shifts impacted a particular region or community.

Examples of UK regional fiction

Four examples of regional fiction come from the regions of the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

Irish regional fiction

Irish regional fiction is one of the oldest types of regional fiction. The genre originated in Ireland in the novel Castle Rackrent (1800) by Maria Edgeworth. Irish regional fiction commonly discusses themes of religion, gender, and colonisation. These novels are frequently used to explore controversial topics in Ireland, such as the role of the Catholic Church in society. Irish regional fiction often employs a humorous tone around these subjects, using techniques such as irony or satire.

Northern Irish regional fiction

Established in 1921, Northern Ireland is a region that finds itself in the unique position of belonging to both the UK and Ireland. The country experienced a 30-year-long period of conflict from 1968 to 1998 known as The Troubles. This conflict was between the Unionist community (who were predominately Protestant and believed the country belonged with the UK) and the Nationalist community (who were predominantly Catholic and believed in a united Ireland). Northern Irish regional fiction typically centres around this period.

Much of this literature discusses themes of identity, nationality, war, and class. Such regional fiction also explores the unique Northern Irish culture, its history, and also its complex relationship with Ireland and its fragmented Irish identity.

Scottish regional fiction

One of the most popular types of regional fiction comes from Scotland. Scotland experienced a surge of regional fiction being produced during the early twentieth century. This movement was known as the Scottish Renaissance. Since this movement, Scottish literature has continued to gain popularity. Many pieces of Scottish regional fiction discuss themes of independence, nationality, class, and gender.

Welsh regional fiction

Welsh regional fiction is a wide genre comprised of novels that are written in both English and Welsh. These are two separate styles of writing and should be viewed as such. Welsh regional fiction often discusses the dynamics of class in the country. This theme was especially popular in the wake of the miners' strikes of the 1980s. Other key themes in Welsh regional fiction include nationality, isolation, and poverty.

Examples of regional writers

Below is a list of some notable writers from each region of the United Kingdom.

Irish regional writer: James Joyce

Born in 1886 in Rathgar, Ireland, James Joyce is widely viewed as one of the most important Irish writers of the twentieth century. Joyce's novels were set in Dublin and received a commendation for how geographically accurate they were. His most famous books include Ulysses (1922) and Dubliners (1914). Joyce's works discussed themes of class, gender, and identity.

Northern Irish regional writer: Robert McLiam Wilson

Born in Belfast, Robert McLiam Wilson's works have come to define aspects of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. One of his most famous novels was the 1996 book Eureka Street (1996). The novel followed in the footsteps of Across the Barricades (1972) as it centres around the friendship of two Catholic and Protestant working-class men. The novel discusses themes of class, nationality, and identity in the context of the Troubles, as well as themes of friendship and love.

Scottish regional writer: Janice Galloway

Janice Galloway is a Scottish author from Ayrshire who previously worked as a school teacher. Her debut novel, The Trick is to Keep Breathing (1989), won the MIND/Allen Lane Book of the Year Award. The novel follows a young woman in Ayrshire who struggles with grief and mental illness. The novel discusses themes of death, mental health, and gender in working-class Scotland.

Welsh regional writer: Stephen Gregory

Although he was born in Derby, England, Stephen Gregory is commonly regarded as one of the most prolific Welsh horror writers. Gregory was famous for using the isolation of the Welsh countryside as the main setting for his novels. This is famously seen in his novel The Cormorant (1986). It is set in North Wales and features outsiders moving into an isolated village in the countryside. Gregory's novel discusses themes of nature, isolation, and history.

Examples of regional poets

Let's take a look at some poets from different regions in the UK.

Irish regional poets include:

• Katharine Tynan (1859–1931)
• William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)
• Eavan Boland (1944–2020)

Some Northern Irish poets to consider:

• Seamus Heaney (1939–2013)
• Ciaran Carson (1948-2019)
• Ruth Carr (1953-)

Scottish poets include:

• Robert Burns (1759-1796)
• Andrew Lang (1844-1912)
• Dame Carol Ann Duffy (1955-)

These are some notable Welsh poets:

• Hedd Wyn (1887-1917)
• Dylan Thomas (1914-1953)
• Gwyneth Lewis (1959-)

Regional fiction: relevance and importance

Regional fiction remains a popular form of literature throughout the twenty-first century. It is one of the most important types of novels as it is used to give representation to the people who live in these regions. This is especially significant as it is a genre that has historically given a voice to working-class writers. The genre is also important as it discusses how themes such as class, gender, sexuality, and identity can affect specific regions around the world.