Isabella of Milan, Princess d'Aragona, &c.
Hare, C. 1911
and would be placed with historical biography in the classified catalogue.
This raises the important question whether the cataloguer is ever justified in giving subject-entries for works of fiction, especially historical romances. Much depends upon the nature and quality of the book. When it can be read as a contribution to the subject or period with which it deals, without being to any extent misleading, then it may fairly and usefully receive a subject-entry. Where so entered, it will prevent misunderstanding if a note (annotation) is appended to the entry, stating that the work is in fiction form. A schoolmaster, who was versed in the life of Sir Thomas More, read Anne Manning's "The household of Sir Thomas More" more than once, and could hardly be convinced that it was a work of fiction.
Catalogued according to the suggestions here outlined, the entries for the works of fiction would be
Diver, Maud. The Hero of Herat: a frontier
biography in romantic form.
Though in fiction form the book is a biography
of Major Eldred Pottinger, who devoted his life
to furthering British interests on the frontier of
India.
Pottinger, Major Eldred, The Hero of Herat.
Diver, M.
A novel embodying Pottinger's life.
Atherton, Gertrude F. The Conqueror: being
the true and romantic story of Alexander
Hamilton.
Life of Hamilton, the American statesman, in
fiction form.
Hamilton, Alexander:
Atherton, G. F. The Conqueror.
Fiction, incorporating Hamilton's life.
Manning, Anne. The household of Sir Thomas
More.
A story based on More's life.
More, Sir Thomas:
Manning, A. The household of Sir Thomas
More.
A story founded on fact.
The foregoing remarks not only relate to historical fiction, but also to other works that are undoubtedly contributions to their subjects apart from the form in which they are written. A book just published is
| Richardson, Leslie. Vagabond days in Brittany. | |
| illus. 1913 | 944.1 |
The preface opens with a statement to the effect that "although the book is cast in the form of a story, all the facts about Brittany and her people are true, and may be relied upon by those who care to use the work as a guide-book." This warrants an entry under the subject "Brittany," and justifies the Dewey number given to it.
If the proportion of fiction outweighs the fact so largely that the book is valueless except as romance, it is wiser to limit the entries to author and title. It is possible (but undesirable) to enter all the works of fiction dealing with a particular person, or epoch, or event, under the subjects, but they should be kept apart from serious works, under a sub-heading marking them distinctly as fiction. Valuable helps in this connection are Dr. E. A. Baker's Guide to the Best Fiction and Historical Fiction.